Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I’ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go, after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever’s on your mind. This week, we’re discussing the Connor McDavid contract, Oilers offseason plans, jerseys, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.
Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
1) Ed M. asks – Are the Oilers in a better or worse spot than they were a year ago?
Jason Gregor:
Good question. Hard to say if better or worse. I think many will naturally think worse, because of how they lost the last two games. Recency bias is real, not to mention most will think losing two consecutive Stanley Cups means it will be harder to get to a third Final. I think they are in a slightly better position. They won’t lose two players to offer sheets this summer. They have Matt Savoie and David Tomasek ready to push for a roster spot. Also Roby Jarventie (healthy), Josh Samanski, Viljami Marjala and Quinn Hutson are all 22 and 23 years of age. It gives them much better youthful forward depth. One of them could be a good in-season recall. The GM has said he’ll alter his forwards and goalies. They will start next season with a top-five D corps that was better than the top-five they had to start last season.
And I’m sure the Panthers’ celebration antics will only fuel the Oilers. They can use the Michael Jordan line from The Last Dance, “And I took that personally.”
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I will say they’re in a worse spot. Bouchard and Draisaitl are both going to make more money next season and that kills a good amount of their financial flexibility and they don’t have young talent like Broberg or Holloway. Those two things are massive. With that being said, I see a path to the 2025-26 roster being better than the one we saw this past season.
Liam Horrobin:
Better spot because they have a general manager in place ahead of free agency.
Baggedmilk:
I’d say roughly the same, but I do think it helps that they’re not heading into the offseason with a GM search on deck. That said, we’ll see how it goes with the summer of Stan.
Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman along with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch are seen during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
2) Evan asks – Stan Bowman mentioned in his press conference that he’d be looking for upgrades at forward and in net. Are there any free agent targets to see that would fit with the group?
Jason Gregor:
There aren’t many UFAs in the price range and needs for the Oilers. They’d like a 4th line right shot Centre. Luke Kunin and Nick Bjugstad are the two best options, but their projected cap hits are between $1.7m (Kunin) and $2.3m (Bjugstad). Likely too expensive. Luke Glendening might be the most realistic option. He’s 36, but he was 57% in faceoffs for Tampa last year and he took 881 draws. Only Henrique and Draisaitl took more on the Oilers. Glendening is a penalty killer. His 5×5 possession numbers weren’t very good in Tampa, but their entire bottom six struggled. So was it a group or individual issue? Again, there aren’t many excellent right-shot, bottom-six centre options.
Goaltending UFAs include Jake Allen, Ilya Samsonov, Alexandar Georgiev, Alex Lyon, Anton Forsberg, Dan Vladar, James Reimer and Vitek Vanecek. Forsberg and Lyon are intriguing. Allen’s cap hit might be too high for Edmonton. Forsberg would be my first choice.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I would love to see a player like Nikolaj Ehlers here, but that’s a pipe dream. The Oilers are probably looking at more mid-tier free agents and I really don’t like a lot of the names out there. Would Claude Giroux sign for under $3m? Probably not. I don’t hate someone like Jack Roslovic either but there really isn’t anyone who really excites me.
Liam Horrobin:
I would love Brock Boeser, but that seems unrealistic. Is Patrick Kane still good? He doesn’t fit the mould of what they’re looking for in a younger player; no doubt, he can still score goals. Nikolaj Ehlers would be my primary target because the Oilers need another top six forward.
Baggedmilk:
Last summer, the Oilers spent $7.5 million on Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. Instead of trying to get 2-for-1s to fill holes, it would be fun to see them spend $7.5 million on one, impact player. Find value in the bottom six. We need more game breakers.
Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) reacts against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
3) Brady asks – How concerned are you about the Connor McDavid contract situation?
Jason Gregor:
I’m not. I’ve said since last summer he was re-signing. Nothing has changed my view on that. People in other markets are hoping he will leave, and I get it, but they will be disappointed. Be confident in your city and team. He is re-signing.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Not at all. Zero. He will sign this summer. Next question.
Liam Horrobin:
I’m not worried at all. If you listen to the insiders, they all say McDavid is staying.
Baggedmilk:
Ultimately I believe he’ll sign an extension, but I’ll be worried about it until his name is on a contract.
Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) reacts with left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
4) Yves asks – If changes are coming to the forward group, who do you think are the most likely candidates to leave?
Jason Gregor:
Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown (unless he is willing to take a lower AAV again) and Evander Kane. I do think Kane will have a good year as he enters the final year of his deal. But the Oilers need cap space, so he’s likely moved.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I believe Viktor Arvidsson is as good as gone. Evander Kane is a close second. Those two will help free up close to $10m in cap space. I could maybe see them looking into moving on from Adam Henrique as well, but hit NMC might make it tougher.
Liam Horrobin:
Evander Kane, Jeff Skinner, and Viktor Arvidsson won’t be Oilers next season. That sheds a ton of cap space.
Baggedmilk:
I think he’ll try to move Evander Kane. I think he will trade Viktor Arvidsson, and Jeff Skinner won’t re-sign here. I also wonder if Adam Henrique is a guy they’ll look to move as Bowman also mentioned he may try to get younger.
May 25, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after he scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (not pictured) during the first period in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
5) Dakota asks – Would you ever like to see the Oilers go back to the copper and blue jerseys? Or is there any other jersey you’d like to see them bring back?
Jason Gregor:
Not a fan of the Cooper and Blue. I like their current blue with orange shoulder caps. I’d bring back the Orange jersey, but only for a few select games. The players don’t like it, though, so that isn’t happening. Many kids loved the orange jerseys.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I would love a copper a navy blue alternate as long as they are a true throwback and not some weird Frankenstein version of them. But full-time? Never. The Oilers should be orange and blue forever.
Liam Horrobin:
Please bring back the white and orange reverse retros they had during the COVID season. My goodness they were beautiful!
Baggedmilk:
I really liked the orange and white reverse retros. I do love the 2006 era jerseys as well. My bigger problem is that I can’t just go buy these if I want them. Limited run problems.
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