The Edmonton Oilers face a franchise altering decision as Connor McDavid's contract situation remains unresolved. Host Nick Zararis walks through the perspectives of both the Oilers and McDavid himself, explores potential outcomes and the trickle down effects. From roster challenges to the fate of star contracts around the league, this episode dissects the complexities of the NHL"s best player and his future with the Oilers.

5:12 Analyzing Oilers' Stanley Cup contention chances

10:46 Oilers' roster turnover and contract challenges

16:24 McDavid's importance as best player in NHL

21:01 Potential impact of McDavid reaching free agency

25:05 Predictions for McDavid's next contract terms

Why the Connor McDavid extension story won't go away | The Oilers NEED to get this done Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL #NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

The Edmonton Oilers penalty kill derailed their Stanley Cup final in 2025. Host Nick Zararis analyzes the Oilers penalty kill over the last several seasons and why last year's postseason was an absolute worst case scenario. Nick also explores potential personnel changes including building the units around players other than Adam Henrique and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. 3:06 Aggressive vs passive penalty kill approaches

6:40 Importance of structure in penalty killing

11:45 Analyzing Oilers' playoff penalty kill stats

15:50 Impact of poor goaltending on penalty kill

19:24 Personnel considerations for penalty kill 22:59 Challenges of maintaining discipline on PK

26:31 Oilers' regular season vs playoff PK performance

The Edmonton Oilers penalty kill is unpredictable | Why it should bounce back in 2025

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The Edmonton Oilers desperately need their power play to pick up some of the even strength scoring slack. While the Oilers power play still features as much star power as ever including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard but it took a step back last year. Now, facing a sliding doors season, the Oilers power play must return to elite status to keep Edmonton a Stanley Cup contender. Host Nick Zararis breaks down recent statistical trends including a dip in efficency last year, offers personnel suggestions and why the Oilers power play is integral to the team's overall success.

3:16 Mechanics and strategy of Oilers' power play

7:18 McDavid's gravity and power play options

12:29 Importance of power play structure and principles

15:33 Issues with relying on point shots

21:38 Power play crucial for Oilers' Cup chances

25:41 Creating dangerous offense through movement

Why the Edmonton Oilers power play is at a crossroads | Star Power alone isn't enough

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The Edmonton Oilers face an organizational crossroad in net. After this season, both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are free agents. Neither Skinner or Pickard has inspired much confidence as a full-time NHL starter, but short of other options, the Oilers are running it back one last time. On this episode, host Nick Zararis lays out the narratives surrounding each goalie and why outside options like Carter Hart and Ilya Samsonov just aren't realistic.

4:08 Stuart Skinner's mediocre stats and expectations

8:42 Last chance for Skinner and Pickard

14:20 Calvin Pickard's unlikely NHL journey continues

19:37 Analyzing potential external goalie options for Oilers

24:45 Ilya Samsonov as a possible alternative

DEBATE: How the Edmonton Oilers should manage Stuart Skinner | Why this is his last chance

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Entering the 2025-2026 season, the Edmonton Oilers return all seven of their defenseman from last year's Stanley Cup final team and it presents options for head coach Kris Knoblauch. While Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm are likely to reunite, past the Oilers first pair, there are question marks about who plays with who. Host Nick Zararis makes a case for pairing Darnell Nurse with Jake Walman and why the Oilers should give Ty Emberson a serious chance to stick at the NHL level

0:00 Intro: Oilers defense preview for upcoming season

4:39 Core players and building a championship team

11:46 Analyzing potential defensive pairings

15:51 Ekholm-Bouchard pairing and performance stats

20:26 Strengths of Oilers' veteran-laden defense

24:29 Key questions for Oilers defense this season

28:02 Outro: Preview of next episode on goaltending

Projecting the Edmonton Oilers defense | Why Darnell Nurse is the x-factor

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The Edmonton Oilers offense underperformed expectations last year. With expectations as high as ever, the Oilers have serious questions in their forward group beyond the regular brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. On this episde, host Nick Zararis predicts the goal total for each Oilers' forward, how he would deploy the forwards to cope with Zach Hyman missing time and what it all means narrative wise.

4:08 Analyzing career goal averages for Oilers

8:42 Projections for rookies and new additions

12:52 Proposed forward line combinations

19:32 Importance of preseason games

23:36 Oilers shifting to more cycle-based offense

Predicting the Edmonton Oilers forward production | Why McDavid and Draisaitl have career years

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The Edmonton Oilers have sky high expectations and a lineup full of veterans. The team's one chance at real unknown upside is one of Ike Howard or Matthew Savoie breaking out. Host Nick Zararis explains why for the Oilers to be true Stanley Cup contenders, they need one of Howard or Savoie to look the part of elite prospect.

Ike Howard and Matthew Savoie will define the Edmonton Oilers ceiling in 2026

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FanDuel Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL #NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

EDMONTON OILERS face goaltending dilemma as NHL season looms. Can STUART SKINNER silence doubters and lead the team to victory? Host Nick Zararis analyzes the OILERS' controversial decision to maintain their current goalie tandem despite concerns.

The discussion covers SKINNER's performance expectations, salary cap constraints influencing roster choices, and head coach KRIS KNOBLAUCH's strategy for maximizing goaltender potential. Zararis explores how the OILERS' offensive firepower, led by CONNOR MCDAVID and LEON DRAISAITL, might compensate for goaltending uncertainties.

Will the EDMONTON OILERS' gamble on their current net minders pay off, or will it derail their Stanley Cup aspirations?

Tune in for expert insights on this high-stakes decision.

0:00 Intro: Oilers' shaky goalie situation

5:16 Why Oilers continue to trust Skinner

15:33 Oilers asking Skinner to be average

24:45 Oilers' offensive style changes

28:49 Outro: Skinner's potential for next season

Oilers Management DOUBLES DOWN on Struggling Netminders | Does disaster loom?

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FanDuel Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL #NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers