The NHL landscape is buzzing with activity and intrigue as the 2025-26 season rolls into its midwinter stretch. With injuries shaking up key rosters and Olympic debates swirling, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves at the epicenter of hockey’s hottest conversations. From Connor McDavid’s electrifying scoring tear to Evan Bouchard’s polarizing Olympic candidacy—and the injury bug biting teams across the league—there’s no shortage of storylines to keep fans glued to the action.
Let’s start in Seattle, where the Kraken have been dealt a tough blow: defenseman Brandon Montour is set to miss four weeks following hand surgery, as announced in the NHL’s December 22, 2025 status report. Montour’s absence leaves a significant gap on Seattle’s blue line, just as the team tries to solidify its playoff position. The injury woes don’t stop there. The Edmonton Oilers, riding high on the back of their captain’s heroics, are now without goaltender Tristan Jarry for a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are facing their own struggles, with Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin both listed as week-to-week. It’s the kind of December that tests a team’s depth and resilience.
But if there’s one player who seems impervious to adversity right now, it’s Connor McDavid. The Oilers’ captain has reclaimed the NHL scoring lead, amassing a jaw-dropping 62 points in 37 games—just one ahead of Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon. What’s truly remarkable isn’t just the numbers, but the manner in which McDavid has achieved them. Over his last 10 games, he’s racked up 12 goals and 14 assists for a staggering 26 points, extending his point streak to 10 consecutive contests. That’s the kind of output that leaves fans and analysts alike shaking their heads in disbelief. As one report put it, “McDavid finds a way to produce at an elite level night after night.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that McDavid’s recent surge has been the catalyst for Edmonton’s success. The Oilers have won six of their last nine games, climbing to third in the Pacific Division. They’re tied with the Vegas Golden Knights at 42 points, though Vegas holds three games in hand—a reminder that every point counts in the tightly packed Western Conference. If Edmonton wants to keep its playoff hopes alive, they’ll need their captain to maintain this blistering pace. The Oilers faithful know better than to take McDavid’s brilliance for granted, but even they must be marveling at his ability to singlehandedly change the course of games. After scoring just three goals in his first 14 outings, McDavid has exploded for 20 in his last 23. That’s the kind of turnaround that wins Art Ross and Hart Trophies.
While McDavid dazzles up front, the Oilers’ blue line is the subject of heated debate thanks to Evan Bouchard’s Olympic prospects. On December 22, The Athletic spotlighted Bouchard’s late push to make Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Milan Olympics. For months, Bouchard seemed like a long shot, but his recent play has thrust him back into the conversation. Pierre LeBrun wrote, “Evan Bouchard has been written off by many, but the reality is that he remains in the conversation, at least at some level. He’s been better over the past month.”
Bouchard’s offensive credentials are impossible to ignore. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, he’s averaged 75 points per 82 regular-season games and tallied 81 points in 75 career playoff appearances. When Bouchard is on the ice at five-on-five, the Oilers boast a 56.4 percent goal share compared to just 48 percent when he’s off. Pair him with McDavid, and that number jumps to a remarkable 61 percent. The Oilers average 3.29 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five with Bouchard manning the point, dropping to just 2.26 without him. On the power play, his impact is even more pronounced: Edmonton averages 11.48 goals per 60 minutes, with Bouchard ranking among league leaders in individual points per 60 (6.46) over the last three seasons.
Bouchard’s style is both his blessing and his curse. He’s a quintessential “chaos puck mover”—a risk-taker whose stretch passes and creative outlets are as likely to wow as they are to worry. “A good defence is a great offence, and that’s where Bouchard earns his living,” one analysis observed. But with that offensive flair comes the occasional head-scratching turnover, the kind that makes coaches nervous—especially on the international stage, where mistakes are magnified and risk tolerance is low.
As of now, Bouchard is battling rookie Matthew Schaefer for the eighth defenseman spot on Team Canada. According to LeBrun, “My sense is it’s down to Bouchard or 18-year-old rookie Matthew Schaefer for the eighth defenseman spot, and I would give Schaefer the edge right now.” The consensus among hockey insiders is that Canada’s management will opt for a risk-averse lineup, potentially leaving Bouchard at home despite his undeniable skill set. It’s a classic case of eye test versus analytics: the numbers love Bouchard, but coaches crave reliability and control. The Oilers’ coaching staff, led by Kris Knoblauch, has shown faith in Bouchard, pairing him with Mattias Ekholm for heavy minutes and tough assignments. In the 2025-26 campaign, Bouchard is logging nearly seven minutes per game against top competition, posting a 54 percent Dangerous Fenwick (DFF) percentage and a 59 percent goal share at five-on-five. Those are elite numbers, but whether they’ll sway Team Canada’s selectors remains to be seen.
While Bouchard’s Olympic fate hangs in the balance, the Oilers are also grappling with the loss of goaltender Tristan Jarry, who is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. It’s a setback for a team that can ill afford defensive lapses, especially with the playoff race tightening and every game taking on extra significance. Across the league, the Hurricanes are also feeling the sting of injuries, with Jarvis and Slavin both sidelined week-to-week—a reminder that no team is immune from the grind of an NHL season.
As the calendar turns toward the new year, the Oilers’ fortunes will hinge on a delicate balance of star power, depth, and adaptability. McDavid’s dominance gives them hope, while Bouchard’s Olympic saga adds a layer of intrigue. The injury bug is a wild card that could upend even the best-laid plans. For now, though, Edmonton fans can savor the spectacle of their captain’s historic run and wonder what heights he—and perhaps Bouchard—might reach before the season’s end.
With the Pacific Division standings as tight as ever and Olympic decisions looming, the coming weeks promise drama, excitement, and more than a few surprises. One thing’s for certain: in Edmonton, the spotlight isn’t dimming any time soon.
