“It has to sting to lose this much from the bottom half of your lineup,” Larkin wrote. “Of the 23 skaters who dressed for games during Edmonton’s run to the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Final, six are gone. That’s 26 percent lineup turnover, before we even factor in that first-line right winger Zach Hyman (wrist surgery) isn’t a lock to be ready for opening night. Even if freshly acquired Howard defies the odds and is immediately effective in the NHL despite zero minutes of pro experience, and even if Mangiapane can plug a hole with a decent temporary Hyman impression…this team simply isn’t as good as last year’s.

“You’re lying to yourself if you believe otherwise. That doesn’t mean Edmonton’s pursuit of a third straight Cup Final appearance is doomed. Any team with McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard will contend. But a shallower team makes the task taller – and makes Edmonton far more vulnerable if any of the big three gets banged up.”