Oilers Bet on Babcock and Andersen After Playoff Miss

Edmonton finished second in the Pacific with 93 points but missed the playoffs, a disappointing outcome for a team built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers responded by hiring Mike Babcock to replace Jay Knoblauch, trading Darnell Nurse to San Jose, and signing goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year, $2.8 million deal. The moves address urgent needs but leave questions about whether the blue line can hold up.

Last season in review

The Oilers finished 41-30-11 with 282 goals for and 269 against. McDavid put up 138 points (48 goals, 90 assists), Draisaitl added 97 (35 goals, 62 assists), and Evan Bouchard chipped in 95 points from the back end, including 21 goals. The offense was elite, but goaltending was a disaster. Tristan Jarry went 18-9-3 with an .882 save percentage, a number that sank the team's playoff hopes. Edmonton allowed nearly as many goals as it scored, a fatal flaw for a contender.

Ins and outs

• In: Frederik Andersen (signed as a free agent, one year, $2.8 million)
• In: Mathieu Joseph (signed as a free agent, one year)
• In: Colton Dach (signed to a two-year contract)
• In: Mike Babcock (hired as head coach)
• Out: Darnell Nurse (traded to San Jose for Shakir Mukhamadullin)
• Out: Jay Knoblauch (replaced as head coach)

The big question

Can Andersen stay healthy and deliver the goaltending Edmonton desperately needs? The 37-year-old has been solid when available, but durability is a concern. If he falters or misses time, the Oilers are back where they started, hoping for a miracle in net.

X-factor

Shakir Mukhamadullin, the 22-year-old defenseman acquired from San Jose in the Nurse trade, could be the wild card. If he steps in and provides steady minutes on the back end, the Oilers gain a young, cost-controlled asset to help replace Nurse's ice time. If he struggles, the blue line thins out fast.

Bold prediction

Edmonton finishes third in the Pacific and wins a playoff round behind a bounce-back year from Andersen and another monster season from McDavid.

The outlook

The Oilers open at home against Vancouver on September 29 with a revamped coaching staff and a new starting goalie. Babcock brings structure and accountability, and Andersen gives them a chance to stabilize the crease. But the defense is thinner after losing Nurse, and the margin for error is slim. If the goaltending holds, Edmonton is a playoff team. If it doesn't, they're in trouble again.