The 2026 NHL trade deadline has the potential for league altering moves. With superstars like Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin and Kirill Kaprizov entering the upcoming season as unrestricted free agents, what does it mean for the Edmonton Oilers?

On today's episode, host Nick Zararis explores the motivations of teams ahead of the 2025-2026 NHL season who feature superstars in the last year of contracts. Nick explains why teams would or wouldn't move a star, why GMs don't always act in the best interest of the team and a whole lot more.

0:00 Intro: Preview of 2026 NHL Trade Deadline

4:41 Analyzing pending unrestricted free agents

13:18 Which teams might trade key players

18:52 Predicting Oilers' trade deadline moves

24:28 Potential trade targets for Edmonton

What the Edmonton Oilers will do at the 2026 NHL trade deadline | Way too early predictions
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

The Edmonton Oilers are still in a window of Stanley Cup contention, but past mistakes are starting to put a squeeze on the team's ability to maintain its status. On today's edition of locked on Oilers, Host Nick Zararis explores why the Darnell Nurse extension and Jack Campbell Free Agency signing failed. Nick explores the environmental factors that led up to both decisions, explains why the deals, at least at the time, made sense, and what can be learned.

In addition, Nick takes those lessons and builds out a longer range, big picture plan for improvement in front office decision making in assessing and tolerating risk.

0:00 Intro: Understanding Oilers' recent predicament

4:08 North Division's impact on Nurse's contract

8:13 Salary cap implications for NHL teams

12:17 Goalie market challenges and team retention

16:51 Jack Campbell's workload increase with Leafs

20:56 Lessons from Bouchard and Nurse contracts

24:29 Importance of drafting developmental goalies yearly

28:04 Outro: Upcoming NHL season preview

Why learning from Edmonton Oilers mistakes is so important to sustain a window of contention
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down the two franchise-shifting moves that turned the Edmonton Oilers from a solid playoff team into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender the free-agent signing of Zach Hyman and the trade for Mattias Ekholm.

We analyze how Zach Hyman’s transition from the Toronto Maple Leafs to playing alongside Connor McDavid transformed his game, doubled his shot totals, and gave the Oilers one of the NHL’s most relentless net-front presences. Then, we dive deep into how Mattias Ekholm’s defensive stability unlocked Evan Bouchard’s offensive potential, creating one of the league’s most reliable top defensive pairings.

Plus, we discuss what the Edmonton Oilers can learn from these moves going forward, the importance of surrounding McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with the right complementary players, and why roster fit matters just as much as raw talent when chasing the Stanley Cup.

15:51 Ekholm-Bouchard pairing's statistical impact

26:33 Future moves to maintain contender status

How Zach Hyman & Mattias Ekholm Made the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Contenders

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers