Edmonton Oilers face injury concerns and award hopes for 2026-27 season

Edmonton Oilers NHL Connor McDavid Leon Draisaitl player injuries

The Edmonton Oilers are preparing for the 2026-27 NHL season following a disappointing first-round playoff exit. As the team approaches its season opener against the Vancouver Canucks on September 29, several key factors face scrutiny.

Concerns have been raised regarding the aging forward group, which ranks 13th for age in the NHL with an average of 28.8 years. Veteran stars such as Connor McDavid (29), Leon Draisaitl (30), and Zach Hyman (34) remain central to the offense, but their age increases the risk of injuries. To mitigate this, the organization has focused on adding prospects like Aku Raty to improve depth.

Despite these challenges, expectations remain high for individual performances. Connor McDavid is viewed as a top candidate for several league awards, including the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy, particularly following a season where he scored 48 goals.

Entities

Connor McDavid · Edmonton Oilers · Leon Draisaitl · NHL

Sources

Oilers Not Planning More Additions Before The Start Of The Season [www.prohockeyrumors.com]

1 day ago

Oilers face ‘near-certainty’ of forward injuries as veteran group ages [www.thebiglead.com]

2 days ago

Ranking the Oilers’ 4 Biggest Offseason Gambles - The Hockey Writers Edmonton Oilers Latest News, Analysis & More [thehockeywriters.com]

about 4 hours ago

Stan Bowman Confirms Oilers Plans For Remainder Of Offseason [heavy.com]

about 20 hours ago