© Steph Chambers/Getty Images / Leila Devlin/Getty Images

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2024-25 regular season, which starts Oct. 4. Today, the Edmonton Oilers:

2023-24 season: 49-27-6, second in Pacific Division; lost in Stanley Cup Final

Key arrivals

Jeff Skinner, F: The 32-year-old signed a one-year contract on July 1 after having the final three seasons of an eight-year contract bought out by the Buffalo Sabres. Skinner had 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists) in 74 games with Buffalo last season and is expected to play a top-six role and should get an opportunity to play alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl throughout the season. … Viktor Arvidsson, F: Limited to 18 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season because of back surgery and a lower-body injury, Arvidsson said he is healthy after signing a two-year contract on July 1. The 31-year-old had 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in the regular season and three assists in five Stanley Cup Playoff games and will get an opportunity to play in the top six. … Josh Brown, D: A big stay-at-home defenseman (6-foot-5, 220 pounds), Brown signed a three-year contract on July 1 and is expected to fill the void left by the departure of Vincent Desharnais to the Vancouver Canucks. The 30-year-old right-shot had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) with the Arizona Coyotes last season and will add a physical element to the defense.

Key departures

Warren Foegele, F: An effective forward who played up and down the lineup last season, he signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1. Foegele had a career high 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 82 games last season and eight points (three goals, five assists) in 22 playoff games. … Ryan McLeod, F: Traded with forward prospect Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres for forward prospect Matthew Savoie on July 5. McLeod had an NHL career-high 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 81 games last season and four goals in 24 playoff games. … Vincent Desharnais, D: Signed a two-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1. The depth defenseman had 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in 78 games and one assist in 16 playoff games.. … Jack Campbell, G: Signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1 after having the final three seasons of his five-year contract bought out. Campbell was 1-4-0 with a 4.50 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in five games last season. He was sent to Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Nov. 8 and did not play another game for Edmonton.

On the cusp

Matthew Savoie, F: The talented forward became Edmonton’s top prospect when acquired from Buffalo on July 5. The No. 9 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Savoie finished last season with Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League, helping them win the league championship for the first time in franchise history. He had 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 23 games with Moose Jaw and 24 points (10 games, 14 assists) in 19 playoff games. The 20-year-old, who also had 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 11 games with Wenatchee in the WHL, played one NHL game with the Sabres last season. He likely will battle for a roster spot but is expected start the season in Bakersfield of the AHL. … Raphael Lavoie, F: Probably Edmonton’s most NHL ready prospect, Lavoie signed a one-year contract on July 8. He played seven games with the Oilers last season and did not have a point. Lavoie had 50 points (28 goals, 22 assists) in 66 games with Bakersfield last season and could be an effective bottom-six forward. The 23-year-old who was selected by Edmonton in the second round (No. 38) of the 2019 NHL Draft has spent the past four seasons in Bakersfield. … Roby Jarventie, F: The 21-year-old was acquired, along with a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, in a trade with the Ottawa Senators for Xavier Bourgault and Jake Chiasson on July 15. Jarventie made his NHL debut last season and had one assist in seven games with the Senators. He also had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 22 games with Belleville of the AHL. He has four seasons of experience in North America, and with his skill set and size (6-foot-2, 184 pounds) could compete for a bottom-six forward spot with the Oilers this season.

What they still need

After his five-year contract with Ken Holland expired on July 1, a general manager has parted ways with the Oilers. In the interim, CEO Jeff Jackson has assumed the role and made several notable signings in free agency. Nevertheless, Jackson has expressed his preference to not take on the GM responsibilities permanently and intends to hire someone before the season begins. When it comes to the team’s performance on the ice, having a strong lineup of defensemen is crucial for championship contention. Should Troy Stecher and Josh Brown fail to impress when given a chance, Edmonton may consider seeking an upgrade in that position.

They said it

“We possess an exceptional (core) group that is widely recognized throughout the League. The players who have experienced being part of this team and have chosen to re-sign are well aware of the remarkable camaraderie here. Over the past five years, Kenny Holland has successfully established a winning culture, making our organization an attractive destination for players. The competitiveness of our team undoubtedly contributes to this appeal.” – Jeff Jackson, CEO of the Oilers

Projected lineup

The lineup includes Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid, and Zach Hyman.

The line consists of Jeff Skinner, Leon Draisaitl, and Viktor Arvidsson.

Adam Henrique and Connor Brown join forces with Evander Kane.

The lineup consists of Dylan Holloway, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry.

Mattias Ekholm — Evan Bouchard

Darnell Nurse — Philip Broberg

Brett Kulak — Cody Ceci

Stuart Skinner

Calvin Pickard