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The Edmonton Oilers could face another major challenge in the upcoming 2026-27 NHL season as injuries threaten an aging forward group.
Edmonton Journal’s David Staples recently highlighted the concern while discussing the organization’s prospect additions.
While talking about the Oilers’ signing of 24-year-old Aku Raty on a 1-year, $850,000 contract, he wrote that “Raty has a good chance of helping the Oilers this season, especially if there are injuries at the forward position, a near certainty given how old that group is getting.”
MORE: Oilers GM Stan Bowman hints at midseason moves with $4.7M cap space
The Oilers enter 2026-27 after a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the Anaheim Ducks. Injuries to key players exposed the limited depth behind Edmonton’s veteran core.
Connor McDavid (29 years), Leon Draisaitl (30 years), and Zach Hyman (34 years) remain central to Edmonton’s offensive structure. However, the team cannot expect its top forwards to remain healthy through another demanding season without stronger internal support.
The Oilers ranked 13th on the NHL’s team age ranking, with an average age of 28.80 years. The Montreal Canadiens are the youngest with an average age of 25.95 years.
So, the injury concern is definitely going to be an issue for the team.
Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during a game at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Raty ranked 20th in the Cult of Hockey’s 2026 prospect voting, giving Edmonton another potential option for its forward group. Staples also noted the organization’s recent focus on adding prospects.
“In the summer of 2025, Edmonton brought in Josh Samanski, Quinn Hutson, Damian Carfagna, Atro Leppanen, and Viljama Marjala,” he wrote, while mentioning this summer’s addition of Tomas Cibulka and Owen Michaels, apart from Raty.
Those moves will not immediately replace established NHL forwards, but they can improve the organization’s depth pipeline.
That matters for a team built around expensive veteran stars. Edmonton needs younger players to handle secondary roles when injuries remove regulars from the lineup.
The Oilers also reshaped their roster after last season’s early playoff exit. The additions of Frederik Andersen, Devon Levi and several defensemen should improve overall roster depth.
Still, the forward group remains the biggest concern. McDavid and Draisaitl will carry enormous offensive responsibility, while older players must stay productive.
MORE: 5 NHL players facing the most pressure entering 2026-2027 season
An NHL team cannot fully prevent injuries, but it can prepare for them. Edmonton’s prospect development could determine whether injuries become a short-term problem or another season-defining issue.
For the Oilers, Raty and other young forwards may not need to become stars immediately. They simply need to prove they can step into NHL minutes when the veteran core inevitably needs help.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
Edmonton Journal’s David Staples recently highlighted the concern while discussing the organization’s prospect additions.
While talking about the Oilers’ signing of 24-year-old Aku Raty on a 1-year, $850,000 contract, he wrote that “Raty has a good chance of helping the Oilers this season, especially if there are injuries at the forward position, a near certainty given how old that group is getting.”
MORE: Oilers GM Stan Bowman hints at midseason moves with $4.7M cap space
The Oilers enter 2026-27 after a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the Anaheim Ducks. Injuries to key players exposed the limited depth behind Edmonton’s veteran core.
Connor McDavid (29 years), Leon Draisaitl (30 years), and Zach Hyman (34 years) remain central to Edmonton’s offensive structure. However, the team cannot expect its top forwards to remain healthy through another demanding season without stronger internal support.
The Oilers ranked 13th on the NHL’s team age ranking, with an average age of 28.80 years. The Montreal Canadiens are the youngest with an average age of 25.95 years.
So, the injury concern is definitely going to be an issue for the team.
Youth could give Edmonton Oilers needed insurance
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Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during a game at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Raty ranked 20th in the Cult of Hockey’s 2026 prospect voting, giving Edmonton another potential option for its forward group. Staples also noted the organization’s recent focus on adding prospects.
“In the summer of 2025, Edmonton brought in Josh Samanski, Quinn Hutson, Damian Carfagna, Atro Leppanen, and Viljama Marjala,” he wrote, while mentioning this summer’s addition of Tomas Cibulka and Owen Michaels, apart from Raty.
Those moves will not immediately replace established NHL forwards, but they can improve the organization’s depth pipeline.
That matters for a team built around expensive veteran stars. Edmonton needs younger players to handle secondary roles when injuries remove regulars from the lineup.
The Oilers also reshaped their roster after last season’s early playoff exit. The additions of Frederik Andersen, Devon Levi and several defensemen should improve overall roster depth.
Still, the forward group remains the biggest concern. McDavid and Draisaitl will carry enormous offensive responsibility, while older players must stay productive.
MORE: 5 NHL players facing the most pressure entering 2026-2027 season
An NHL team cannot fully prevent injuries, but it can prepare for them. Edmonton’s prospect development could determine whether injuries become a short-term problem or another season-defining issue.
For the Oilers, Raty and other young forwards may not need to become stars immediately. They simply need to prove they can step into NHL minutes when the veteran core inevitably needs help.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
