3 Oilers Poised for Career Seasons in 2026-27

The Edmonton Oilers made significant changes around their core this offseason, but some of their most important improvement in 2026-27 could come from players still developing within the lineup. Vasily Podkolzin and Matt Savoie are coming off the most productive seasons of their NHL careers, while Shakir Mukhamadullin arrives from the San Jose Sharks with a clearer opportunity following the Darnell Nurse trade.

Each player enters the season with a realistic path toward setting new career highs. Podkolzin and Savoie have already established themselves as useful top-nine forwards with room to produce more, while Mukhamadullin should receive enough responsibility on Edmonton’s rebuilt blue line to surpass the modest offensive totals from his first three NHL seasons.

1. Vasily Podkolzin Can Build on His Breakout

Podkolzin finally turned his strong all-around game into meaningful offensive production last season. After recording eight goals and 24 points during his first season with Edmonton, he increased those totals to career highs of 19 goals and 37 points while appearing in all 82 games.

The improvement was significant because Podkolzin did not require ideal offensive deployment to produce it. His season report noted that 17 of his 19 goals came at five-on-five, while his average ice time increased from 13:13 to 15:23 per game.

Podkolzin also remained one of Edmonton’s most physical forwards and continued doing much of the difficult work required to sustain possession. His forechecking, puck retrievals and willingness to attack the middle of the ice have made him a useful complement to Leon Draisaitl.

That combination could remain together under Mike Babcock, particularly because Podkolzin has shown he does not need the puck constantly to affect a line. Draisaitl has previously praised him for creating situations that allow his linemates more time and space with possession.

Edmonton has already invested in the possibility of another step forward. Podkolzin’s new contract begins this season and runs for three years at a $2.95 million average annual value.

That contract could become increasingly valuable if Podkolzin reaches another offensive level. He does not need a dramatic breakout to outperform the deal, particularly as Edmonton continues trying to find affordable contributors around an expensive veteran core.

The obvious milestone is 20 goals. Podkolzin finished one short last season and has increased his shot generation as his role has expanded, making a 20-to-25-goal season a reasonable expectation rather than an optimistic projection.

Reaching 40 points should also be attainable. Podkolzin finished only three short despite receiving limited power-play opportunities, meaning even modest improvement at five-on-five could push him beyond that threshold.

Babcock could also experiment with using him on the second power-play unit. Podkolzin should not sacrifice the physicality and defensive detail that have earned him a larger role, but additional special-teams opportunities would provide another path toward production.

His contract extension was originally based partly on Edmonton believing there was still more offence available. Podkolzin said after signing it that he wanted to improve offensively without abandoning the qualities that made him successful, and his 2025-26 season demonstrated meaningful progress toward that balance.

A season with more than 20 goals and 40 points would represent another career year. More importantly, it would establish Podkolzin as a legitimate long-term top-six option rather than simply a useful complementary winger.

2. Matt Savoie Could Take a Major Offensive Step

Savoie accomplished the most important objective of his first full NHL season by proving he belonged in Edmonton’s lineup. He played all 82 games, recording 18 goals and 37 points while averaging 14:47 per night.

His final totals only tell part of the story. Savoie’s season report showed a clear difference before and after the Olympic break, with nine goals and 18 points through his first 58 games followed by nine goals and 19 points over the final 24.

That late-season improvement gives Edmonton reason to believe a larger breakout could be coming. Savoie became increasingly confident carrying the puck, attacking defenders and getting himself into scoring areas rather than simply attempting to avoid mistakes during his first NHL season.

His season ended with the strongest example of his offensive ceiling. Savoie recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career during Edmonton’s season finale, scoring three times in the opening period of a 6-1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks.

Connor McDavid assisted on all three goals. After the game, McDavid said the two were beginning to build chemistry after spending more time together late in the season.

That relationship gives Savoie perhaps the clearest route to a career year of anyone on Edmonton’s roster. Playing significant minutes beside McDavid would naturally create more scoring opportunities, particularly for a young forward whose speed and hockey sense allow him to find open areas.

Savoie should not be guaranteed a permanent top-line position simply because the combination succeeded late last season. Babcock will almost certainly experiment with his forward groups, and Savoie still has to prove he can produce consistently rather than during isolated stretches.

His defensive development gives him a better chance of staying involved even when his scoring fluctuates. Savoie became one of Edmonton’s regular penalty killers during his rookie season and eventually led Oilers forwards in shorthanded usage, giving the coaching staff another reason to trust him.

An NHL playoff preview also highlighted Savoie’s increased responsibility heading into the postseason. His ability to contribute in different situations separated him from a young forward who must score to remain in the lineup.

The next offensive targets should be 20 goals and approximately 45-to-50 points. He needs only modest improvement from his rookie totals to reach the first mark, while his second-half pace suggests approaching 50 points is realistic if he receives consistent top-six usage.

Power-play minutes could provide additional growth. Savoie scored five power-play goals last season despite playing behind some of the NHL’s most established offensive players for premium opportunities.

Edmonton does not need Savoie to become one of its primary scorers immediately. A second full season that pushes him comfortably beyond 20 goals and toward 50 points would give the Oilers another dangerous young forward capable of reducing the offensive burden on McDavid and Draisaitl.

Savoie spent last season proving he could survive in every situation. The next step is demonstrating how much offence he can create now that simply remaining in the NHL is no longer the primary objective.

3. Shakir Mukhamadullin Has Edmonton Opportunity

Mukhamadullin enters 2026-27 with lower career highs than Podkolzin or Savoie, which gives him the most straightforward opportunity to establish new ones. The 24-year-old recorded five goals and 12 points in 50 games for San Jose last season while averaging 17:09 of ice time.

Edmonton acquired Mukhamadullin and prospect Zack Sharp in the Nurse trade on July 1. Moving Nurse removed a defenceman who averaged 20:58 per game last season, creating a substantial number of minutes that Edmonton must redistribute throughout its blue line.

Mukhamadullin will not receive all of them. Ryan Shea was signed to a five-year contract, while Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard and Connor Murphy remain established members of the defensive group.

There should still be considerably more opportunity than Mukhamadullin had in San Jose. Edmonton gave him a two-year deal worth $3.5 million shortly after acquiring him, which suggests the Oilers expect him to become a regular rather than merely provide insurance.

Stan Bowman also sounded optimistic when discussing what Edmonton acquired. During his free-agency comments, Bowman highlighted Mukhamadullin’s size, long reach, shot and penalty killing while noting that the left-shot defenceman gained experience playing on the right side.

That versatility could help him earn minutes quickly. Babcock and associate coach D.J. Smith will have several possible combinations available, and Mukhamadullin’s ability to play either side reduces the chance that handedness alone prevents him from moving higher in the lineup.

His offensive production should naturally benefit if he stays healthy. Mukhamadullin produced 12 points in only 50 games last season, meaning a full 82- or 84-game campaign at a similar pace would already put him around the 20-point range.

There is reason to believe he could exceed that pace. Mukhamadullin possesses a heavy shot and enough skating ability to become involved offensively without needing to run Edmonton’s power play, a role that will continue belonging primarily to Bouchard.

The more important development will occur defensively. Edmonton needs Mukhamadullin to use his 6-foot-4 frame and reach effectively, contribute on the penalty kill and show that he can handle increasingly difficult matchups on a team with championship expectations.

Those responsibilities would represent a career year even without a dramatic increase in points. If Mukhamadullin becomes an everyday defenceman playing 17-to-19 minutes while approaching 20 points, Edmonton will have received immediate value from one of the central pieces of its offseason overhaul.

Internal Growth Could Raise Oilers’ Ceiling

Edmonton’s offseason featured several significant additions, but external moves can only improve the roster so much. The Oilers also need players in their early-to-mid 20s to develop into larger roles as their veteran core becomes older and more expensive.

Podkolzin, Savoie and Mukhamadullin are positioned perfectly for that challenge. Podkolzin is coming off his first legitimate offensive breakout, Savoie found another level during the second half of his rookie season, and Mukhamadullin joins an organization with enough available defensive minutes to give him a meaningful opportunity.

None has reached an age where last season should represent his ceiling. Podkolzin is 25, Savoie is 22, and Mukhamadullin is 24, giving Edmonton three players who could still be entering the most productive portions of their careers.

If Podkolzin pushes beyond 20 goals, Savoie approaches 50 points, and Mukhamadullin establishes himself as a dependable everyday defenseman, Edmonton will have improved substantially without making another transaction. That type of internal growth could be just as important as anything Bowman accomplished through trades or free agency this summer.