Oilers season preview: Babcock hired in bid to get Edmonton over hump

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Edmonton Oilers.

Last season: 41-30-11, second in Pacific Division; lost in Western Conference First Round

Coach: Mike Babcock (first season)

Biggest challenge

Goaltending could once again be an issue. Edmonton will enter the season with a three-goalie rotation with Tristan Jarry, Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi. Unfortunately, Andersen sustained an undisclosed injury during his offseason training, leaving Jarry and Levi to hold the fort until he is ready to return. Andersen won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes last season but sustained a knee injury in Game 3 of the Final against the Vegas Golden Knights and sat out the last three games. The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent with Edmonton on July 1. He was 16-14-5 with a 3.05 goals-against average and .874 save percentage in 35 starts in the regular season but went 13-2 with a 1.89 GAA and .910 save percentage in 16 starts in the playoffs. Jarry was inconsistent with Edmonton after he was acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12, and lost the No. 1 job to Connor Ingram. Levi was acquired in a trade from the Buffalo Sabres on July 1. He has not played in the NHL since the 2024-25 season.

How they make playoffs

With forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way, the Oilers should have little trouble making the playoffs again this season. Edmonton went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, losing to the Florida Panthers on both occasions. However, they were upset by the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference First Round last season. Offensively, Edmonton is still one of the most dynamic teams in the NHL, but in order to get across the finish line this season, the Oilers will need to play better defensively after allowing 3.23 goals per game last season, 25th in the NHL. Edmonton was fortunate a number of teams struggled in the Pacific Division last season and was able to finish second, which likely won't be the case this season with Anaheim and the San Jose Sharks expected to be much stronger.

Most intriguing addition

Babcock was brought out of retirement to coach the Oilers this season. The 63-year-old has not coached in the NHL since he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs 23 games into the 2019-20 season. He has 700 wins, which is 12th in NHL history, and has coached 1,301 games in 17 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Maple Leafs. He's a proven winner, having won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008 and coached Canada to the gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey 2016. Can he help the Oilers get over the hump and win the Stanely Cup?

Biggest potential surprise

Isaac Howard had a solid first professional season splitting his time in Edmonton and Bakersfield of the American Hockey League last season. The 22-year-old forward had 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) in 47 games with Bakersfield and five points (two goals, three assists) in 29 games with Edmonton. The Hobey Baker Award winner as the best player in the NCAA in 2025 was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Sam O'Reilly on July 8, 2025, and could be ready for a full-time role.

Ready to contribute

Levi is expected to start the season backing up Jarry with Andersen injured. The 24-year-old was selected by Florida in the seventh round (No. 212) of the 2020 NHL Draft and played for Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championship, 2022 Winter Olympics and 2023 World Championship, but has just 39 games of NHL experience and a career 3.29 GAA and .894 save percentage. Even when Andersen returns, he could challenge for the No. 1 job if he can make the most of his opportunity, particularly early in the season.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, F: Despite being limited to 72 games last season, Nugent-Hopkins scored at least 20 goals for the seventh time in his career. His best season came in 2022-23, when he had career highs in goals (37), assists (67), points (104) and power-play points (53). At 33, he is a versatile forward who has a proven track record playing alongside Connor McDavid; the two factored in on the same goal 45 times last season, including McDavid assisting on 16 of Nugent-Hopkins' 20 goals. Nugent-Hopkins also regularly produces on the power play, scoring at least 10 power-play goals in two of the past four seasons. Edmonton, which led the NHL in power-play percentage last season (30.6), has finished in the top five of that category in six of its past seven seasons. Per NHL EDGE stats, Nugent-Hopkins scored 14 of his 20 goals from high-danger zones and ranked among the forward leaders in offensive zone time percentage (46.0; 94th percentile) last season. Nugent-Hopkins has bounce-back potential and is worth prioritizing in the later rounds (fantasy average draft position: 139.7). -- Troy Perlowitz

Projected lineup

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Connor McDavid -- Zach Hyman

Vasily Podkolzin -- Leon Draisaitl -- Mathieu Joseph

Isaac Howard -- Jason Dickinson -- Kasperi Kapanen

Connor Clattenburg -- Josh Samanski -- Trent Frederic

Mattias Ekholm -- Evan Bouchard

Jake Walman -- Connor Murphy

Ryan Shea -- Shakir Mukhamadullin

Tristan Jarry

Devon Levi

Injured: Frederik Andersen (undisclosed)