Despite back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, Edmonton Oilers fans' confidence in the team's front office remains surprisingly low, according to a recent NHL survey conducted by The Athletic. The survey, which gathered over 13,000 responses, ranked the Oilers 21st out of 32 NHL teams in fan confidence regarding management decisions, a marginal improvement from 25th last season. This places the Oilers in the bottom third of the league, raising questions about the fairness of judging the front office so harshly, especially with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the roster.

The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn noted that expectations are high in Edmonton, given the presence of two of the world's best players, and without a championship, the management has not met them. He added that while the Oilers have made some good moves, enough poor ones have kept them from ultimate glory.

The survey graded the Oilers' management in six areas: roster building (C+), cap management (C-), drafting and development (D+), trading (C+), free agency (B-), and vision (C+). This report card illustrates the areas where fans feel the team is falling short.

Several factors contribute to the fans' lack of confidence. One major issue is the departure of young talents like Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. The Athletic called the failure to match Holloway's "paltry cap hit" unbelievable. The Trent Frederic deal and the team's unresolved goaltending issues also contribute to the dissatisfaction. These decisions have led to questions about the organization's long-term vision.

Despite the criticism, there has been some improvement in fan trust compared to last year. Where 72% of fans previously expressed less confidence in the front office, that number has dropped to 25%. Moreover, 48% of fans now say they have more confidence in the management. This shift suggests that some fans are seeing positive changes, but a significant portion remains skeptical.

The Oilers' management faces a crucial year ahead. With Connor McDavid's impending free agency and Darnell Nurse's hefty contract, the front office must demonstrate its ability to build a championship team. The pressure is on to make the necessary moves to increase fan confidence and capitalize on the team's window of contention.

Some observers believe that the Oilers' front office can turn things around with the right moves this offseason. The team's recent focus on getting younger and faster could be a step in the right direction. However, the front office must also address the team's cap management and consistently fill key positions to gain the trust of the fanbase.