'Average' Oilers have limited time and options to rework roster for Connor McDavid

The Edmonton Oilers’ 2025-26 season came to a thunderous halt Thursday night in Anaheim, as the Anaheim Ducks sent the Oilers home for the summer in a six-game, first-round series win.

But all anyone wants to talk about in the wake of the Oilers’ defeat is the future of superstar center Connor McDavid. His new contract extension begins next season, but it’s only two seasons long. The Oilers’ roster around McDavid has regressed and aged, two labels you don’t want used for your roster if you’re trying to win the Stanley Cup.

What could the Oilers do to improve the roster? It depends on who you ask, but we’ve got some ideas to consider.

Should Edmonton be throwing money at a big-name goaltender? Well, first of all, what are you doing with your two current goaltenders? Connor Ingram turned out to be the better of his current netminding tandem – and that’s called damning someone with faint praise – but Ingram is a pending UFA who will garner interest in spite of his .876 save percentage and 3.86 GAA in five playoff games this year. 

MORE: Oilers' trade clock is officially ticking with Connor McDavid

But the real question is what to do with Tristan Jarry. The veteran goaltender had a horrendous season, and he still has two years at $5.38 million per season. He cannot be allowed to return, given his subpar play and the remainder of his contract. That leaves the buyout as the only way the Oilers can get rid of Jarry’s contract,

By doing so and pursuing another solution to pair with Ingram next season, the Oilers would be telling McDavid they’re trying to win in the limited contract window he has given the team. It will cost them real money and hurt their team in the long run, but a Jarry buyout is the best way to get rid of his contractual albatross.

Also, would revamping the Oilers’ defense corps lead to a Cup? We don’t think so. First of all, it’s not like there are high-end defensemen out on the trade front. If you don’t develop solid D-men, you have to draft well. And you can only pick up high-end defensemen by drafting and developing them. So that’s on the Oilers to build a better defense corps. But even then, Oilers GM Stan Bowman wouldn’t be able to change things in the time necessary to keep McDavid in Edmonton beyond his current contract.

MORE: Post-Mortem: What Should The Edmonton Oilers Do After A Disappointing Season?

Meanwhile, there’s also the possibility of a coaching change in Edmonton – a very good possibility, from this writer’s point of view. Firing Kris Knoblauch seems a foregone conclusion, as he’s had multiple kicks at the can. But again, look at the available coaching options. Can any of them come into Edmonton and resurrect this team? But is there anyone out there who thinks a new coach will make a significant difference in this team’s improvement over the next two years?

We know former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy is available, but without the right roster to work with, the second coming of Jack Adams couldn’t produce the desired effects on the Oilers’ dressing room. Edmonton needs an experienced coach to push Oilers players, but getting the talent is much easier said than done.  

MORE: It's Time For Things To Get Awkward With The Oilers

In any case, it’s clear the clock is loudly ticking regarding McDavid’s future. He’s given the Oilers two years to figure it out – and if Edmonton can’t get the job done, the McDavid era could be nearing an end. 

McDavid has given the Oilers every opportunity to win a Cup, but constantly, they’ve managed to come up short – and this season, they’ve come up even shorter. Even just getting back to the Western Conference final seems like a herculean task for Edmonton, and Oilers GM Stan Bowman has to be as creative as McDavid is on the ice if he’s to get Edmonton back into the post-season.

Following their playoff exit, McDavid described the team as average.

“We were an average team all year. When you’re an average team with high expectations, you’re going to be disappointed.”

McDavid is the best player in the world, and he’s at a point in his career where he dictates where he wants to play. The Oilers have the next two seasons to convince him to stay in Edmonton – and if McDavid does leave, don’t say you didn’t see a split between McDavid and the Oilers coming.

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