05/02/2026
It was the end of season media availabilities today at Rogers Place, as players and staff discussed an early playoff exit following a mediocre regular season. Certainly not up to the standard we've come to expect from this team. I took a minute to compile my takeaways from each availability for those who haven't had a chance to listen in yet. What are your thoughts on the direction of the Oilers heading into a critical off-season?
Oilers end of season media availabilities:
Connor Murphy: loved his time in Edmonton and has a strong desire to remain with the team and play for a cup.
Jason Dickinson: suffered a fractured ankle late in the regular season. Open to a return to Edmonton, but exploring options.
Kasperi Kapanen: felt there were a lot of players underperforming, considers Edmonton home and hopes it wasn't his last game as an Edmonton Oiler.
Connor Ingram: Enjoyed his time in Edmonton and has a desire to stay, expressed that Canadian markets are hard to play in and he was able to do it and grow in his ability
Connor McDavid: Average team with high expectations. The organization as a whole took steps back this year and that needs to be addressed. Suffered a fracture to his foot in Game 2. Still committed to winning in Edmonton. Team couldn't find the rhythm through the regular season and it showed in the playoffs. When asked about getting some extra rest this off-season that if they had to find positives, that's one of them.
Leon Draisaitl: Certainly not at 100% health in the playoffs. Big lessons learned, one being that you need to build habits and understanding of how to handle certain moments over the course of the regular season. Feels like the team didn't use the regular season well to reach peak form heading into playoffs. Expressed concern about the organization taking big steps backwards, trending in the wrong direction. Need more buy in throughout the lineup, reflected on the 2024 team and how everyone (McLeod, Foegele, etc.) cared and played such a massive role in the teams success. There needs to be an urgency organization-wide with Connor McDavid signed for the next two years, says the whole team needs to be so much better. Echoed McDavid's sentiment regarding more rest this off-season, but obviously would rather be playing.
Stan Bowman: Described this year as a start stop season riddled with injuries. The organization is still in win-now mode, looking to retool for next season. Oilers roster isn't expected to change significantly, however they will be looking to bring in some new faces and address some of the concerns on the defensive side of the puck. Not committed to Kris Knoblauch at this time, will take time in the coming weeks to evaluate what went wrong and what needs to change.
Kris Knoblauch: Started the season extremely poorly. Hoping to find more balance throughout the lineup and become less reliant on our best players, getting more buy in from depth roles. Felt like Edmonton had found their defensive game coming into the final stretch of the season and reverted back to old habits in the first round. Special teams struggles attributed to new systems adopted this year that should make the team better in the long-term.
- TK
