The Edmonton Oilers are facing increasing scrutiny and pressure as they head toward the 2025 NHL playoffs. Following the recent trade deadline on March 7, the team has been under fire for what many fans and analysts are calling inadequate moves by General Manager Stan Bowman, who opted for smaller trades over significant upgrades.
Earlier this season, the Oilers made headlines by signing forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner on July 1, 2024, raising expectations for the year. Yet, as the trade deadline approached, it became clear the team was struggling, going 2-7-0 over their last nine games, and they found themselves four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights.
At the trade deadline, the Oilers watched as star players like Mikko Rantanen moved to the Dallas Stars and Brad Marchand went to the Florida Panthers, leaving them feeling left out of the action. Analysts from TSN praised moves made by the Stars and Panthers, calling them legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, but only James Duthie suggested the Oilers still had potential.
Prominent hockey analyst Craig Button has not held back his criticism, predicting the Oilers will be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Kings. This negative prognosis has not sat well with Oilers fans, many of whom expressed their frustrations via calls and texts following the trade deadline.
“The fans are likely disappointed,” said Bob Stauffer during his coverage on 880 Ched. “There aren't many positive vibes about the Oilers right now.” Edmonton Journal writer David Staples confirmed this sentiment, noting the overwhelming negative reaction from the fans on social media after Bowman seemingly stood pat instead of securing notable acquisitions.
Despite the criticism, the Oilers did make some moves, acquiring forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones, and defenseman Jake Walman. Frederic, who scored 18 goals and recorded 40 points last season, is seen as having the potential to be impactful, especially on the Oilers' bottom-six. Analysts are intrigued by Frederic's capabilities on the forecheck and his ability to generate offense, drawing comparisons to past players who flourished alongside superstar Connor McDavid.
Max Jones, the 24th overall pick from the 2016 draft, brings size and physicality but is viewed skeptically for his overall impact on games. For those who watched the Oilers' recent game against the Montreal Canadiens, Jones did register an assist on a Corey Perry goal, leading some analysts to wonder whether he may find his stride with his new team.
“I can see Jones being utilized more as we move forward, but there’s skepticism about his overall scoring ability,” said one analyst.
Perhaps the most surprising acquisition was Jake Walman, secured for what is reported to be a conditional first-round pick for 2026. Known for his puck-moving capabilities and having strong offensive instincts from the blue line, Walman presents solid value as the Oilers look for reliable play from their defense.
“Walman’s going to add good depth and mobility to our back end, especially with the way our defense has struggled at times this year,” said one team insider.
Still, much of the conversation post-trade deadline revolves around the goaltender situation. Despite discussing potential deals for established netminders like John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks, the Oilers didn’t pull the trigger. Gibson's $6.4 million cap hit was considered too expensive, particularly for someone without a Stanley Cup.
“If they stood pat because the right opportunity simply was not there, they may have avoided potential disaster,” noted one analyst familiar with Edmonton’s situation. “Once the games start, we’ll see if Skinner and Pickard panning out can quiet the critics.”
Looking back at previous seasons, the Oilers are no stranger to overcoming challenges. Fans may recall the gripping 1990 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where starting goalie Grant Fuhr sustained an injury, forcing untested Bill Ranford to step up and eventually lead the Oilers to their fifth championship.
“It feels like we’re the underdogs again this season, much like 1990, which makes winning all the sweeter if we succeed,” said long-time Oilers supporter and season ticket holder Mark Johnson. “We may surprise people.”
The narrative around this year appears charged with skepticism, and yet, there’s also undeniable hope. Hockey is unpredictable, and just because the Oilers haven’t stocked their roster with high-profile names doesn’t mean they are incapable of finding success. Skipping over some potential allocation of resources has left some concerns, particularly with the Dallas Stars poaching top talent, raising competitive stakes.
Reflecting on the approved trades, many analysts gave the Oilers mixed grades: C- for previous years’ efforts, B for Frederic's potential, and A for securing Walman. Some fans may regard these grades as short-sighted, but for optimal success during the playoff push, everything might fall on the cohesiveness and efficiency of their current roster, including the performances of Pickard and Skinner.
With playoff games set to commence mid-April, the anticipation for the Edmonton Oilers is palpable as they prepare to put to the test everything this season has cultivated—team camaraderie, resilience, and strategies for overcoming adversity. Time will tell if these lesser trades draw out the potential written on paper for this team and whether history may repeat itself, once again dancing close to the ultimate prize.