The Oilers addressed their biggest concern heading into the 2025-26 season by signing superstar captain Connor McDavid to a short-term extension.
But for a team that reached the Stanley Cup final the past two seasons, Edmonton still heads into the campaign with a surprising number of question marks.
None of the questions surrounding goaltending, depth, defence or McDavid's linemates are new, and they linger over the team even after McDavid signed a two-year, $25-million US extension on Monday.
At $12.5 million, the annual average value of McDavid's contract is lower than teammate Leon Draisaitl's $14 million.
General manager Stan Bowman said the amount was what McDavid wanted. The captain is more interested in winning the Stanley Cup.
"It's obvious what he wants, he wants to win," Bowman said, adding his focus now is to win sooner rather than later.
"We're not trying to build this up to be good down the road.
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