Oilers Announce 2026 Preseason Schedule

On Wednesday (June 17), the Edmonton Oilers announced their schedule for the upcoming 2026 NHL preseason.

In preparation for the 2026-27 NHL season, Edmonton will face the Winnipeg Jets in a home-and-home set of exhibition games on Sept. 19 and 22, before visiting the Vancouver Canucks on Sept. 24 and hosting the Calgary Flames on Sept. 26.

With just four games, this is one of the shortest preseason schedules in Oilers’ history. The NHL has increased its regular season schedule from 82 to 84 games for each team in 2026-27, resulting in a reduction in exhibition contests.

This makes for one of the most intriguing preseasons in recent memory. Here’s what to look for when the Oilers return to the ice in September.

Past Preseasons Felt Too Long

Recent years have seen Edmonton play eight preseason games, four at home and four on the road. The Oilers’ preseason schedule has often featured a “split squad” date against the Flames, in which the teams split their rosters for a pair of games that take place simultaneously at Rogers Place and the Scotiabank Saddledome (in 2025, the visiting team each won at the other’s arena).

That would mean at least 40 players would dress for at least one game during the preseason, but the number usually ends up being much higher than that. Last year, 50 players played at least one exhibition contest for the Oilers, with 38 appearing in at least two preseason games.

Critics complained that the NHL preseason was too long. Every year, at least a couple of Edmonton’s exhibition games felt like they were being played for the sake of just being played, and weren’t serving much benefit to anyone, whether it be prospects or veterans.

Four Games May Be Too Few

Four games, however, might not be enough, and this shorter schedule will certainly present coaches with a challenge when it comes to deciding who draws into the lineup for any given preseason contest. For example, last year, almost all of Edmonton’s top veterans appeared in three or four exhibition games, while players who were on the edge of the roster played four or five.

So, if three to four games is the ideal amount for the likes of Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid to knock the rust off, while four to five games is the ideal amount for Edmonton’s braintrust to determine whether the likes of Beau Akey or William Nichol is worthy of a spot on the opening-night roster, simple math suggests that four games won’t be enough to satisfy all needs.

Games Take on More Meaning

On the other hand, every preseason game is suddenly very important. Exhibition games that feel redundant – of which there were at least a couple every year – are no more.

Furthermore, the duration of the preseason adds a sense of urgency. This September, there are just six days between Edmonton’s first and last preseason game. Contrast that with last year, when the Oilers’ eight preseason tilts stretched out over 13 days.

With all that in mind, the games on Edmonton’s preseason schedule are more than just another date on the calendar. They actually warrant a deeper look.

Breaking Down the Schedule

While Edmonton’s first two preseason games come against Winnipeg, on Sept. 19 and 22, the Jets will actually be playing another contest in between their two meetings with the Oilers: Winnipeg is set to host the Colorado Avalanche at Canada Life Centre on Sept. 21. This could make for an interesting dynamic, as the Oilers and Jets will be at different stages in their preparation and auditioning for the regular season.

Edmonton’s final two preseason games come against its perhaps two biggest rivals, the Canucks and Flames. Neither of those teams has announced its preseason schedule yet. However, given that the 2026-27 NHL regular season reportedly opens on Sept. 29, it’s probably a safe bet that the Sept. 26 game between the Oilers and Flames at Rogers Place will be the preseason finale for both.

The countdown is already on. Incredibly, it’s less than three months until the Oilers’ first preseason game. Granted, it’s pretty much hockey season 365 days a year in Edmonton.