Allan Mitchell

Alberta

Proud to write for @TheAthleticNHL and host the Lowdown noon-2 weekdays on @sports1440. Dad, employee of Ziggy. Miss you, Jo. xoxo

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Articles

An early look at the Edmonton Oilers’ potential 2025-26 roster

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

The Edmonton Oilers have lost the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row, but fans are already looking forward to another chance to win it. The key names will return, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. After that, expect changes. The big item is McDavid’s next contract, but that won’t kick in until the fall of 2026 (he is signed for one more season at a value deal, $12.5 million). For general manager Stan Bowman, any roster improvement must also make the team cap compliant.
What changes could help Edmonton Oilers return to Stanley Cup Final again?

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is looking at an active summer. The last remnants of the Ken Holland era burned out Tuesday night in Sunrise, Fla., just as dusk arrived in the city of Edmonton. Contracts for Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard will be top priority, and the postseason has exposed some areas of weakness. Several contracts, including some with no-movement clauses, will have to be moved out by trade or buyout.
Where have all the Edmonton Oilers' outlet passes gone?

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

Through the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers got rave reviews for the strong outlet passes from defence to forwards. The fast break outlets, after effective retrievals, allowed the team to play a small amount of actual defence in its own zone. It was a roaring success. That trend continued into the early moments of the Stanley Cup Final versus the Florida Panthers.
Why the Edmonton Oilers' defensive deployment reflects performance, injury

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

The Edmonton Oilers received a welcome addition to the defence just before the start of this year's Stanley Cup Final. Mattias Ekholm, the most complete defender on the team when healthy, played in one game (the May 29 clincher versus the Dallas Stars) and then settled in as a regular for the final versus the Florida Panthers. Ekholm's return, married to various injuries, maladies and struggles, has reset the defensive depth chart since June 1. How much has changed?
What we've learned about Edmonton Oilers in 2025 Stanley Cup Final so far

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

Through the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton Oilers fans can draw some strong conclusions about their team. No Western Conference opponent in this spring's playoffs came close to matching the battle of the Florida Panthers, and the thrill ride of this final will be remembered for a long time. What have fans learned about the Oilers? Plenty.
Why are Oilers having trouble playing their game against Panthers?

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

NHL history informs us that teams with below-average talent can make things less formidable by forcing the more talented team into a rugged, physical clash. The late 1950s Boston Bruins were such a team, and the most famous version of that style arrived in the 1970s after the Philadelphia Flyers hired head coach Fred Shero. Shero's keys to success included shorter shifts for skaters, exceptional goaltending and intimidation.
Which Edmonton Oilers players have increased their value for next season?

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

The Edmonton Oilers' "heart of the order" is clearly established and is unlikely to change next season. The group of "inner circle" roster players begins with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, then extends to a veteran roster deep in quality and no-movement clauses. From the trade deadline (March 7) through the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, several players have increased their chances of staying on the Edmonton roster for the 2025-26 campaign.
How the Edmonton Oilers are set up for the 2025 NHL Draft

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

The Edmonton Oilers signed another young free agent on Saturday. Finnish left winger Viljami Marjala is 22 and the latest addition to the prospect pool by general manager Stan Bowman. Marjala posted 44 assists in Finland's Liiga last season, the fifth best total in the entire league. His 52 points landed him just outside the top 10 in league scoring. Scouting reports have him as a playmaker with a good shot, a good two-way type and a player who blossomed in the last two seasons with TPS Turku.
How Edmonton Oilers' depth is already a factor in Stanley Cup Final

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

As the Edmonton Oilers entered the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers this week, one important piece to the team's formidable attack was unavailable. Zach Hyman is the team's top right winger. He's a goal scorer, aggressive checker, owns the high-danger chance column annually and hits anything that moves. It's not hyperbole to suggest Hyman is the best NHL free-agent signing in Oilers team history. How would the organization survive without him?
How Kris Knoblauch's keen ability to adjust elevated Edmonton Oilers

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Allan Mitchell

In the 18 months since Kris Knoblauch took over as coach of the Edmonton Oilers, he has guided the team to the Stanley Cup Final each time. For fans of the team, the unassuming Knoblauch represents an elite problem solver. That ability to tinker with the roster, using only players who are readily available, has become a calling card of the team's head coach. After going to Game 7 of the final last spring, he now has the Oilers four wins from the championship.