The Edmonton Oilers have had a busy offseason, marked by significant roster changes, contract speculation, and joyous celebrations. As the team looks ahead to the 2025-26 season, several key storylines are developing.

One of the biggest talking points is the recent trade of Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers received a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange for Kane, who has one year remaining on his contract. Kane, a Vancouver native, expressed excitement about joining his hometown team. He had 12 points in 21 playoff games last season, helping the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final. The trade was primarily a salary cap move by Edmonton. However, the decision to trade Kane hasn't been without controversy. According to reports, Paul Coffey, a former Oilers associate coach and team legend, was not happy with the trade. Coffey, who is now an advisor to owner Daryl Katz, believed Kane was a valuable asset to the team, both on and off the ice, and should have been re-signed. Some reports suggest that Coffey may now have more influence on player movement decisions within the organization. There have even been whispers about a potential reunion between Kane and the Oilers after the 2025-26 season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Another major focus is Connor McDavid's contract situation. McDavid, who has one year remaining on his current deal with an average annual value of $12.5 million, is eligible for a contract extension. Speculation is rampant about the type of extension he will sign. While the Oilers would ideally like to sign him to a long-term, eight-year extension, there is a possibility McDavid may opt for a shorter deal of three to four years. One suggestion involves McDavid signing a one-year extension with a $14.6 million AAV for the 2026-27 season, followed by a three-year extension at $17 million. This could give the Oilers more cap space in the short term. It is expected that McDavid will sign an extension before the end of August. Some believe his close friendship with Leon Draisaitl suggests he's likely to stay in Edmonton. Others suggest that McDavid will dictate the terms of his extension, and the Oilers will oblige. Ultimately, winning is of the utmost importance to McDavid, and if he feels the Oilers have a good chance to win, signing an extension will not be a problem.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, several Oilers players tied the knot this summer. Leon Draisaitl married Celeste Desjardins in a lavish ceremony in France. The wedding was attended by numerous Oilers players, including Connor McDavid, Cody Ceci, and Darnell Nurse. Lauren Kyle McDavid was the maid of honor. Photos from the wedding have been circulating on social media, including one of Draisaitl smoking a cigarette, which garnered a lot of attention from fans. Kasperi Kapanen and Troy Stecher also got married this summer. The Oilers community celebrated with the players as they embarked on their married lives.

As the offseason progresses, the Oilers face important decisions regarding McDavid's contract and the team's overall direction. The front office will need to navigate the salary cap carefully to build a competitive roster around their star players. With training camp approaching, the focus will soon shift to preparing for the 2025-26 season and making another run at the Stanley Cup.