Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers finally addressed their goalie question adding Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth. While Ingram has a small NHL track record, he has the capacity to start games should the Oilers run into trouble. Host Nick Zararis explores the narratives surrounding the Oilers goalie room, Ingram's career track record and puts the trade into perspective.  0:00 Intro: Oilers acquire new goalie...

The Locked On Podcast Network hosts have voted and once again, Connor McDavid is the best player in the NHL. In today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down exactly what makes McDavid a one-of-one talent: 🏒 Skillset & Tools – Why McDavid’s speed, vision, and creativity are unmatched.  📊 Stats & Accolades – From 100+ point seasons to playoff dominance, the numbers prove it. ...

Is the third time the charm for the Edmonton Oilers? Will Mitch Marner take the Vegas Golden Knights back to the Stanley Cup Final? Can Dustin Wolf do it again for the Calgary Flames? And are the Los Angeles Kings destined to lose in round one to Edmonton forever? In a special Pacific Division Contenders round table preview, Nick Zararis (Locked On Oilers), Jess Belmosto (Locked On Flames), Chris...

Kirill Kaprizov just signed the richest contract in NHL salary cap era history with the Minnesota Wild at $17 million per year. What does this mean for Connor McDavid's contract negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers?  🏒 Kaprizov's 8-year, $136M extension breakdown  🏒 Why small market teams are paying premiums to keep superstars  🏒 How this resets the market for McDavid's next contract  🏒 NHL s...

The Edmonton Oilers enter the season as Stanley Cup contenders, but there's so much more to the season than what comes after 82 regular season games. On this episode, host Nick Zararis explores realistic expectations, the importance of appreciating the journey of a long regular season and why progress this year still might not result in a Stanley Cup.  With young players like Ty Emberson, Matthew...

The biggest storyline is Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl being reunited on the top line with Trent Frederic. We explore whether Frederic can fill the Zach Hyman role while the veteran forward recovers from injury, and why this combination makes sense from a skill-set perspective. Frederic brings the forechecking and puck retrieval that complements McDavid and Draisaitl's elite playmaking and sho...

With Zach Hyman sidelined, Coach Chris Knoblauch is putting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl back together on the first line. In this episode, we dive deep into what this means for the entire Oilers lineup. Why Knoblauch is going back to McDavid-Draisaitl pairing: The "floor vs ceiling" coaching philosophy Trickle-down effects on the rest of the lineup Lessons from the Stanley Cup Final deploymen...

The Edmonton Oilers have gotten off to disappointing starts in each of the last two seasons but can they break the cycle this year? In this episode of Locked On Oilers, we dive deep into the historical context behind Edmonton's slow starts and what needs to change.  With The Athletic ranking the Oilers as the #2 "win-now" team in the NHL behind only Dallas, the pressure is mounting for immediate r...

The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Vasily Podkolzin to a multi-year extension. Host Nick Zararis analyzes the macro and micro implications of Podkolzin's extension for the Oilers in terms of their roster building, the fit with Leon Draisaitl, why it's an overture towards Connor McDavid and his potential upside. Nick also explores why Podkolzin is such a good example of the need to take chances in...

The NHL preseason has never mattered less, so much so the league is taking preseason games away next year. While established stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have little to prove in September, for teams at large and fringe players, there is no greater opportunity to get yourself noticed. Host Nick Zararis explores why players like Ike Howard and Matthew Savoie's roles in the preseason...

The Edmonton Oilers face a franchise altering decision as Connor McDavid's contract situation remains unresolved. Host Nick Zararis walks through the perspectives of both the Oilers and McDavid himself, explores potential outcomes and the trickle down effects. From roster challenges to the fate of star contracts around the league, this episode dissects the complexities of the NHL"s best player and...

The Edmonton Oilers penalty kill derailed their Stanley Cup final in 2025. Host Nick Zararis analyzes the Oilers penalty kill over the last several seasons and why last year's postseason was an absolute worst case scenario. Nick also explores potential personnel changes including building the units around players other than Adam Henrique and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. 3:06 Aggressive vs passive penalty...

The Edmonton Oilers desperately need their power play to pick up some of the even strength scoring slack. While the Oilers power play still features as much star power as ever including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard but it took a step back last year. Now, facing a sliding doors season, the Oilers power play must return to elite status to keep Edmonton a Stanley Cup contender. Ho...

The Edmonton Oilers face an organizational crossroad in net. After this season, both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are free agents. Neither Skinner or Pickard has inspired much confidence as a full-time NHL starter, but short of other options, the Oilers are running it back one last time. On this episode, host Nick Zararis lays out the narratives surrounding each goalie and why outside options...

Entering the 2025-2026 season, the Edmonton Oilers return all seven of their defenseman from last year's Stanley Cup final team and it presents options for head coach Kris Knoblauch. While Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm are likely to reunite, past the Oilers first pair, there are question marks about who plays with who. Host Nick Zararis makes a case for pairing Darnell Nurse with Jake Walman an...

The Edmonton Oilers offense underperformed expectations last year. With expectations as high as ever, the Oilers have serious questions in their forward group beyond the regular brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. On this episde, host Nick Zararis predicts the goal total for each Oilers' forward, how he would deploy the forwards to cope with Zach Hyman missing time and what it all mea...

The Edmonton Oilers have sky high expectations and a lineup full of veterans. The team's one chance at real unknown upside is one of Ike Howard or Matthew Savoie breaking out. Host Nick Zararis explains why for the Oilers to be true Stanley Cup contenders, they need one of Howard or Savoie to look the part of elite prospect.  Ike Howard and Matthew Savoie will define the Edmonton Oilers ceiling in...

EDMONTON OILERS face goaltending dilemma as NHL season looms. Can STUART SKINNER silence doubters and lead the team to victory? Host Nick Zararis analyzes the OILERS' controversial decision to maintain their current goalie tandem despite concerns.  The discussion covers SKINNER's performance expectations, salary cap constraints influencing roster choices, and head coach KRIS KNOBLAUCH's strategy f...

EDMONTON OILERS' defense takes center stage as the key to Stanley Cup contention. Is their blue line the secret weapon for 2025-2026 NHL success? Nick Zararis analyzes the Oilers' defensive evolution, highlighting the game-changing Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard pairing and their impressive stats.  The discussion covers how improved defense complements McDavid and Draisaitl's offensive firepower...

EDMONTON OILERS' offensive woes take center stage as they seek to reclaim their scoring prowess. Can CONNOR MCDAVID and LEON DRAISAITL ignite a goal-scoring renaissance? Host Nick Zararis dissects the OILERS' unexpected offensive decline, exploring strategies to reignite their once-potent attack.  From power play improvements to 5-on-5 adjustments, Zararis examines how EDMONTON can balance defensi...

Major NHL rule changes are here and the Edmonton Oilers could be the biggest losers. The league has officially banned double salary retention in trades and will now enforce a salary cap during the playoffs, sending shockwaves across the NHL.  Host Nick Zararis breaks down:  •Why the Oilers’ 2025 Stanley Cup window is under pressure   •How the playoff salary cap changes trade deadline strategy   •...

The Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending situation is under the spotlight as the new NHL season approaches. Can Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard get the job done, or will GM Stan Bowman fulfill Oiler fan dream's?  Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers’ goaltending options—from dream targets like Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy to realistic replacements who could actually be available. The episo...

The Connor McDavid contract drama is heating up and the Edmonton Oilers could be on the verge of a major crisis. With no extension in place, could the NHL’s top superstar actually leave Edmonton? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the high-stakes negotiations, what it means for the Oilers heading into the season, and how McDavid’s uncertain future is affecting team morale, front office strategy, and me...

EDMONTON OILERS face goaltending dilemma as dissatisfaction grows around Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard tandem. Host NICK Zararis analyzes the challenges of acquiring goalies via trade and evaluates potential candidates to bolster the OILERS' crease.  The discussion covers the value of elite net minders, the impact of team environment on goalie performance, and whether reducing SKINNER's worklo...

The Edmonton Oilers confront a pivotal "all in" decision in their Stanley Cup quest. Can the Oilers sustain championship hopes despite recent roster shifts? Host Nick Zararis examines the Edmonton Oilers' win-now philosophy, analyzing their competitive standing in the National Hockey League. He explores the Oilers' unique edge with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, while scrutinizing r...