The Edmonton Oilers have three elite talents who are capable of driving the team to the Stanley Cup. In Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, the club looks inevitable for a championship at the top end. The support players on the roster are aging, though, with Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both now 33. The erosion that occurs with aging includes games missed due to injury. The team must add quality talent over the summer.What general manager Stan Bowman will be looking for is players who can step right in and are young enough to have their peak seasons (and highest paid years) in the future. Since the fall of 2024, Vasily Podkolzin and Matt Savoie have arrived as legit contributors who can be part of the foundation through the end of the decade.The goal for Bowman this summer should be adding at least one more quality forward and a goalie who can push for the top job this season in Edmonton. Depending on how well the season goes, there may be opportunities to add more quality youth to the foundation. Here’s how Bowman can help his team.Establishing the goalIf we look at Podkolzin and Savoie in 2025-26, we get an idea of the target Bowman should be seeking via trade or free agency in acquiring forwards.PlayerPts-60Mins v elitesGF Pct overallVasily Podkolzin1.7338557Matt Savoie1.5129152All numbers at even strength, via Puck IQ and Natural Stat TrickPodkolzin and Savoie are young, with reasonable contracts, and can play on a skill line that faces elite competition. The goal share for both wingers is quality, with the individual scoring (points per 60) a little shy. The hope is that both can grow into their current roles as top-six wingers in Edmonton.If Bowman is to find one or two additional talents who fit the description, where can he shop?Offer sheetThe Oilers don’t have a 2027 first-round pick and are shy in cap room, but could make some noise in this area. Murat Ates at The Athletic wrote an interesting piece about possible Winnipeg Jets targets, with one of the names listed possibly being a fit for Bowman and the Oilers.Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars posted 1.70 points per 60 at five-on-five last season, with a 52 percent goal share. He played 312 minutes versus elites and spent some time on the power play. He scored 20 goals this season and might be a fit for Edmonton. The Oilers have a second-round pick in 2027 and could offer the max for that range ($4.68 million) that would make the Stars uncomfortable.This isn’t exactly getting ahead of the pack; in fact, the Oilers are still behind due to the offer sheets sent by the St. Louis Blues two summers ago. This kind of move does claw back some of what was lost.
What the Edmonton Oilers must do to keep Stanley Cup contention window open
The goal for the Oilers this summer should be adding at least one more quality forward and a goalie who can push for starts.








