Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Oilers Rumors

Conn Smythe Voting Results Revealed

at CDT | by 9 Comments

While Sam Bennett took home the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy after a historic postseason run that included 15 goals, the voting was closer than many might expect. The Professional Hockey Writers Association released the voting results, with Bennett receiving 76 points and teammate Brad Marchand close behind with 68.

Bennett and Marchand were the only players to receive first- and second-place votes, making them the clear-cut choices among the 18 writers. Others receiving votes included Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Gustav Forsling, and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl. Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis, and the deadline to submit ballots to the NHL occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 6.

From the start of the playoffs, Bennett established himself as a force. While he was one of five Panthers to record at least 22 points during the playoffs, his 15 goals led the team by a margin of four. He also became just the fourth active player to score at least 15 goals in a single postseason, joining Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Zach Hyman. He also joins an elite list of centers to accomplish the feat, including Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Joe Sakic.

Marchand posted 10 goals and 20 points during the playoffs, but shone brightest in the finals, where he scored six goals, including Game 2’s overtime winner. After going without a goal in the Panthers’ opening series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Marchand went on to produce 10 goals in the team’s final 18 games. Acquired at the trade deadline from the rival Boston Bruins, Marchand is one of the most pivotal deadline additions in recent memory.

Bobrovsky finished a distant third in voting with 10 points. He delivered his usual steady performance in goal, posting a .914 save percentage and three shutouts over 23 playoff games. He arguably saved his best for last, turning aside 28 of Edmonton’s 29 shots in the cup-clincher. Bobrovsky finished fourth Conn Smythe voting last season.

Oilers To Ramp Up Negotiations With Evan Bouchard, Connor McDavid

at CDT | by 21 Comments

The Edmonton Oilers have been thrust towards a stressful off-season after their Game 6 defeat. They face multiple contract situations in need of sorting-out with just under $12MM in projected cap space. Top of list will be re-signing star defender Evan Bouchard before he becomes a restricted free agent. Edmonton will turn their attention towards negotiations on what is expected to be an eight-figure deal later this week, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. Pagnotta adds that next on the list will be signing captain Connor McDavid to an extension when he becomes eligible on July 1st.

Both contracts will break ground when they’re signed. Bouchard has hit impressive heights for only being 25 years old. His 238 points in 347 career games ranks sixth in the league among defenders his age or under. Rasmus Dahlin, who ranks second with 360 points, is the only player above Bouchard to have signed recently. He inked an eight-year, $88MM deal with the Buffalo Sabres last summer. Bouchard’s cap hit would likely land under Dahlin’s $11MM, though the cap’s projected growth could keep the two close.

That will make projecting a new price for superstar McDavid all the tougher. He already carries the fourth-highest cap hit in the league – $12.5MM on a deal signed in 2017. No one else came close to making as much until Nathan MacKinnon signed for $12.6MM in 2023, Auston Matthews’ signed for $13.25MM last summer, and Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl signed for $14MM shortly after.

McDavid’s prowess is hard to deny. He’s reached legendary scoring heights in both the regular season and playoffs. There seems to be no one number that’d sound right to award the 826 points he’s (so far) scored in 503 games of his current contract. Draisaitl’s record-holding cap-hit will be Edmonton’s only guide. He did top McDavid in scoring by six points this season but even then – the younger McDavid is likely to warrant a slight pay boost. His new deal could land in the realm of $14.5MM or even $15MM.

The importance of getting both deals done can’t go understated. McDavid and Bouchard were Edmonton’s most-used forward and defender respectively, and have ranked in the top-three of team scoring in each of the last two seasons. Edmonton will be locking up their top defenseman ahead of his prime, and the core of their franchise through his golden years, with these deals. They’ll also be defining their future budget – namely what they’ll be willing to spend on their 13 pending free agents in 2026, including goaltender Stuart Skinner.

McDavid and Bouchard will land as the league’s most expensive top-forward, top-defender tandem in the NHL before July 1st with this news. The two – and their phenomenal supporting cast – have already pushed Edmonton to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals. With long-term deals, the Oilers could be guaranteeing the structure needed to make at least a few more runs for the title, especially as they find value deals for goaltending or depth improvements.

Oilers, Trent Frederic Focusing On Long-Term Extension

at CDT | by 5 Comments

The Oilers and pending UFA winger Trent Frederic have had preliminary discussions on a max-term eight-year contract extension for the bottom-six forward, Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal said Wednesday. Conversations on an extension began earlier this month but were tabled during the Stanley Cup Final. Those talks will resume this week after last night’s loss, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period writes, adding “there’s a pathway to a deal.”

Even with a likely low price point per season, that level of commitment would be jarring for a player of Frederic’s skill set. We’ve seen longer-term deals being handed out to bottom-six wingers with some scoring upside and a physical edge in recent years. William Carrier, Logan O’Connor, Mathieu Olivier, and Miles Wood have all landed long-term extensions or free agent commitments in the post-COVID era, and Frederic certainly fits that profile.

None of those players received the maximum available term, though, and they were all coming off breakout or otherwise strong platform years. That’s not the case with Frederic. Injuries limited him to 58 regular-season games, including just one with Edmonton after they acquired him from the Bruins in a three-team deal before the trade deadline. When dressed, he logged an 8-7–15 scoring line and a -16 rating, a career-low. While he didn’t see a decline in deployment from his strong 2022-23 and 2023-24 showings in Boston, he produced just 0.26 points per game after averaging 0.40 over the prior three years.

The Oilers are of the belief that’s enough of a track record to secure a long-term commitment and, likely, a role as a third-line winger for the foreseeable future. He did have back-to-back seasons of 17 and 18 goals and a career-high 40 points with the Bruins not too long ago. Two years of that level of production isn’t a huge track record, but an affordable price point could be an appealing proposition for the Oilers to have him secured in case he reaches that output again.

It would also be a worthy bet on Frederic’s part to land some long-term financial security throughout his prime, something that’s not usually attainable for players routinely averaging between 11 and 13 minutes per game. He saw 11:24 of ice time for the Oilers in the playoffs, recording a 1-3–4 scoring line in 22 games and ranking fourth on the team with 85 hits.

While the Oilers’ stars obviously did the heavy lifting, a few depth forwards had decent possession impacts in the playoffs. Frederic wasn’t one of them. His 45.2% share of shot attempts at even strength was second-worst on the club among players who played all 22 playoff games, ahead of only Adam Henrique’s 44.7%. He also saw no special-teams deployment.

It’s likely they view Frederic as a younger, more stable, and more affordable long-term replacement for higher-priced veterans like Viktor Arvidsson and Evander Kane, both of whom could be moved this summer to free up cap space following injury-plagued regular seasons of their own. Still, it’s fair to question what purpose an eight-year commitment, which would take Frederic through his age-35 season, serves that a five-to-six-year deal doesn’t. The likelihood of Frederic still being in the NHL, and potentially even providing some positive value near the end as the salary cap rises, is exponentially higher with the latter option.

Panthers Repeat As Stanley Cup Champs, Bennett Wins Conn Smythe

at CDT | by 49 Comments

Aided by Sam Reinhart’s four goals, the Florida Panthers have repeated as Stanley Cup Champions, defeating Edmonton in Game 6 by a score of 5-1. For his efforts, pending free agent Sam Bennett won the Conn Smythe after posting 15 goals throughout the playoffs.

Florida’s stars shone bright throughout the playoffs, including fantastic efforts by the likes of Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe, Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk, and, of course, solid play between the pipes from star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. Remarkably, the Panthers had nine players record at least 15 points throughout the playoffs, with six recording at least 20 points. However, Bennett led the way with his incredible finishing ability. His knack for elevating his game in the playoffs culminated in a well-deserved Conn Smythe win, and he’s now poised to cash in on his next contract.

For Edmonton, it’s another season that has ended in heartbreak. Despite another postseason of heroics from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers were once again undone by their defensive flaws and inconsistent goaltending. For his part, McDavid has amassed an absurd 75 points over the last two playoffs, including last season’s Conn Smythe win, while Draisaitl added an incredible 65 points in that time. However, both stars will have to wait for their shot at hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Bobrovsky turned aside 28 of Edmonton’s 29 shots. “Bob” was particularly strong in the second period, turning aside 10 shots, including several high-danger chances. A key moment came midway through the second period when McDavid and Corey Perry broke out on a two-on-one. However, Perry couldn’t get solid contact on McDavid’s pass through the crease. Just a few minutes later, Reinhart potted his second of the game, giving Florida a commanding 3-0 lead and essentially putting the game out of reach. He scored his third and fourth goals on empty-netters late in the third period.

With the Stanley Cup Finals concluded, another NHL season comes to a close. Attention now turns to a busy offseason schedule, which includes the NHL Draft and the start of free agency in the next few weeks.

Oilers’ Coach Kris Knoblauch Mum On Game 6 Starting Goalie

at CDT | by 10 Comments

Facing elimination, Edmonton Oilers’ coach Kris Knoblauch still isn’t sure who his starting goalie will be for Game 6. Or, at least, he isn’t making his intentions known.

Knoblauch didn’t commit to either Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard, stating the team will go with whichever goalie gives them the best chance to win. When asked how he’ll make the decision, Knoblauch said, “That’s a conversation with the staff. Obviously, our goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz, but with all the assistants and the general manager to weigh how everyone feels and what’s best moving forward.”

Knoblauch acknowledged that the decision is “not an easy one,” pointing out that both goalies have proven they can win games. He added that whichever goalie is chosen, the team believes they’ll be the one to help secure a win on the road in Game 6.

Skinner started the first four games of the Finals but was pulled in two of them, prompting Knoblauch to start Pickard in Game 5. The decision was made in hopes that Pickard could replicate his heroics from Game 4, where he stopped 22 of 23 shots in the overtime win. However, he struggled in Game 5, allowing four goals on 18 shots for a .778 save percentage. Despite the Oilers making it to Game 6 of the Finals, both goalies have put up less-than-stellar statistics throughout the playoffs, with Skinner posting an .891 save percentage and Pickard owning an .886 mark.

While Knoblauch was non-committal on who he’ll start, the team may have tipped their hand during practice today. As TSN’s Ryan Rishaug points out, Skinner was in what was the starter’s net the last time they practiced in Florida. Rishaug added that forward Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman John Klingberg took part in line drills, signaling their potential return. Kapanen was replaced in the lineup by Viktor Arvidsson in Game 5.

 

Snapshots: Nugent-Hopkins, Malkin, Marner

at CDT | by 8 Comments

Edmonton Oilers centerman Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is expected to stick in the lineup for Game 6 despite missing Monday’s practice, head coach Kris Knoblauch told Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic. His off-day will instead be chalked up to rest, after Nugent-Hopkins appeared in 20 minutes of action in Game 5.

Nugent-Hopkins appeared in 24 minutes of ice time and scored two points in Edmonton’s 5-4 win over Florida in Game 4. He ranks third on the Oilers’ offense in ice time (19:44) and postseason scoring (20 points in 21 games) behind only Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It’s the expected pecking order, but Nugent-Hopkins’ role has still been a crucial part of Edmonton’s postseason success. They’ll rest assured knowing he’s expected to appear in a must-win game on Tuesday.

Other notes from around the league:

  • Retirement winds are beginning to blow around Pittsburgh Penguins legend Evgeni Malkin. It remains unclear exactly when the Russian forward is expecting to retire, though sources around the team say Pittsburgh is unlikely to offer him a new contract next summer, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic. Malkin will enter unrestricted free agency after the 2025-26 season after riding out a four-year, $24.4MM contract. He posted the lowest scoring pace of his career this season, with 50 points in 68 games equating to 0.74 points-per-game. That mark surpassed his previous career-low of 0.82 set last season, when he scored 27 goals and 67 points in 82 games. Those numbers are still mighty impressive, and could earn Malkin a few more years even as he slows down. He could also be a candidate to leave the NHL with a few good years left, and finish his playing career in Russia’s KHL. Mettalurg Magnitogorsk continue to hold Malkin’s KHL rights. He previously appeared in 169 games and scored 156 points with the club.
  • Top free agent Mitch Marner may take his time deciding on a new landing spot when the market opens on July 1st, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast. Friedman adds that Marner could have plans to establish meetings throughout multiple cities before he signs his next deal. Negotiations for Marner’s last contract – a six-year, $65.41MM deal signed in 2019 – notoriously dragged on through September. He posted multiple career-years on the deal, including breaking the century mark for the first time this season with 102 points in 81 games. Marner is likely to rival records with a lengthy and expensive deal this season. Taking time to ensure it’s with the right fit will be a helpful bit of due diligence.

Draisaitl Earns 2024-25 All-Star Team Honors

at CDT | by 9 Comments

C Leon Draisaitl (Oilers) – As previously mentioned, the vote between Draisaitl and MacKinnon came down to the wire. Draisaitl finished with an equally impressive season, scoring 52 goals and 106 points in 71 games, securing the Maurice Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal-scorer. Furthermore, in a solid argument for Draisaitl, he finished sixth in Selke Trophy voting, far higher than MacKinnon, who placed 29th.

[SOURCE LINK]

Oilers’ Jake Walman Fined Twice For Game 3 Incidents

at CDT | by 14 Comments

It was almost a guarantee that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety (DoPS) would have work to do after a hectic Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Earlier today, the DoPS shared that they had fined Oilers defenseman Jake Walman a total of $10K, the maximum allowable under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Walman earned a pair of fines from last night’s events. Walman received two minor penalties for the first incident, along with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for roughing Matthew Tkachuk. Meanwhile, Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad also received two minor penalties for roughing while defending his teammate.

The second incident took place outside the area of play. As he was exiting the ice, Walman had his glove taken and subsequently thrown into Florida’s bench by Panthers forward A.J. Greer. In response, Walman took one of the Oilers’ water bottles and began spraying it toward the Panthers’ bench, which earned an automatic fine.

Surprisingly, the DoPS only bestowed additional punishment to Walman from last night’s contest, and doesn’t seem likely to issue more. There were 35 penalties called in Game 3, of various forms, with 26 of them coming in the third period. Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse led the way with 19 PIMs, while Florida forward Jonah Gadjovich led the opposition with 15.

Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Uncertain For Game 3

at CDT | by 7 Comments

June 9: Nugent-Hopkins is still questionable for Game 3 and remains a game-time decision, although Knoblauch told reporters today he’ll take warmups regardless (according to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug).

June 8: The Oilers may be down a crucial top-six forward as the Stanley Cup Final shifts to Florida. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be a game-time decision for Monday’s Game 3 due to an undisclosed injury after missing Sunday’s practice session, head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters (including Tony Brar of Oilers TV).

Nugent-Hopkins didn’t miss a shift in Game 2’s double-overtime loss and didn’t miss a game due to a non-illness-related injury all season long. He’s routinely been starting games on the wing with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry, but he’s also alternated with Leon Draisaitl as the club’s second-line center. When shifted to Draisaitl’s spot between Evander Kane and Kasperi Kapanen later in Game 2, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal relays that Kane was taking faceoffs instead of Nugent-Hopkins, pointing to a speculative upper-body issue.

On the heels of an underwhelming regular season, Nugent-Hopkins has turned up the heat in the postseason. The 32-year-old is operating at a point per game with a 5-13–18 scoring line despite being held off the scoresheet in his last three appearances. He was especially dominant in Edmonton’s Western Conference Final victory over the Stars, posting a 2-7–9 scoring line in Games 1 through 4.

A potential Nugent-Hopkins absence with a 2-1 series lead on the line is exacerbated by the unavailability of usual Connor McDavid/RNH linemate Zach Hyman, who sustained a serious wrist injury in the Dallas series and is done for the year. While depth pieces like Kapanen and Perry have far exceeded expectations when elevated into top-six roles this postseason, there’s rightful concern about eating too deep into their depth in a seven-game series against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Jeff Skinner, a healthy scratch for all but two games in these playoffs, took line rushes in today’s practice in Nugent-Hopkins’ place alongside McDavid and Perry and will presumably enter the lineup if RNH can’t go. In his first career postseason action, the veteran of nearly 1,100 regular-season games has a goal and an assist over his pair of appearances.

Oilers Working On Extension With Trent Frederic

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The Oilers acquired Trent Frederic from Boston leading up to the trade deadline with an eye on bolstering their bottom six for the playoffs.  A pending unrestricted free agent, it appears he could be sticking around in Edmonton a little longer.  In today’s 32 Thoughts podcast (audio link), Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman relays that word around the rink on Friday is that the forward might be sticking around for next season although an extension isn’t expected to be announced during the Stanley Cup Final.

The 27-year-old had a breakout year in 2023-24, notching 18 goals and 22 assists in 82 games with Boston while also chipping in with 204 hits.  Considering he put up 17 goals and 31 points the year before, it looked like he had arrived as a key bottom-six piece for the Bruins while making his $2.3MM cap charge a team-friendly one.

But things didn’t go as well this season.  His production dropped to just eight goals and seven assists in 57 games before the trade deadline but Edmonton liked his track record enough to send a second-round pick, a fourth-round selection, plus prospects Shane Lachance and Max Wanner in a three-team trade to acquire him at 75% retention along with winger Max Jones.

Frederic was injured at the time of the trade and had to wait nearly a month to make his Edmonton debut.  It wasn’t a great one as he was injured once again after just 7:10 of playing time, keeping him out of the lineup for the rest of the regular season.

However, Frederic was cleared to return for the playoffs and he has played a regular role for them, playing in all 18 games thus far.  His production in those outings has been limited to just one goal and three assists in 11:32 per night of action although he also has 66 hits.  While he’s doing alright, he’s also not building back some of the value he may have lost during the regular season.

That makes the possibility of an extension look a little more palatable for the Oilers.  They will have a little over $12MM in cap space this summer, per PuckPedia.  However, a significant chunk of that will need to go to pending RFA Evan Bouchard.  That won’t leave a lot of room to pay Frederic a price tag around what his value might be on the open market.  But if he’s open to a short-term deal to try to rebuild some value and play on a contender, that might be enough to make something work between Frederic and the Oilers over the next few weeks.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top