CELEBRITY
Oilers’ Connor McDavid sees ‘positive’ signs ahead of 2026-27 NHL season
Connor McDavid sees encouraging signs around the Edmonton Oilers ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. Speaking Wednesday after an informal skate at Downtown Community Arena, McDavid praised the team’s early energy.
“Yeah, it’s been good,” McDavid said. “I’ve liked what I’ve seen. Guys came in early and guys are ready to go. There’s lots of energy in the room, which is great.”
He then gave his personal assessment, saying, “All signs are positive.”
The optimism comes after Edmonton endured a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. The Oilers finished 41-30-11 with 93 points, despite scoring 282 goals.
Edmonton ranked sixth in NHL scoring and led the league on the power play. However, the Oilers allowed 265 goals, ranking 25th across the league.
The team’s defensive issues eventually contributed to a first-round playoff exit. Edmonton lost its series against Anaheim 4-2 after entering the postseason with championship expectations.
McDavid thinks that last season taught Edmonton an important lesson about maintaining standards throughout the regular season.
“I don’t want to say we took it for granted or complacency,” McDavid said. He pointed to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances as a possible factor.
“You go to a Cup Final two years in a row,” McDavid said. “You feel pretty good about your group and when it matters, you’re going to turn it on.”
He admitted that approach cannot work consistently in today’s NHL. “The league’s too good,” McDavid said. “Teams are too good to not kind of go through the checkpoints.”
That message fits Edmonton’s current situation, with the roster seeking more consistency around its elite core. The Oilers must improve their defensive structure while maintaining their offensive strength.
McDavid also emphasized urgency during the team’s early preparations. “Guys are already digging in hard and getting ready for camp,” he said.
“We want to hit the ground running this year.”
For an NHL contender like the Oilers, that mindset matters. Edmonton cannot rely solely on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to rescue inconsistent performances. A stronger team structure could determine whether these early positive signs translate into another deep playoff run.
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