Bold Predictions: Oilers get their first Calder Trophy winner, Stuart Skinner shines in a contract year, and more

We’re right in the middle of the off-season dead zone, the takes are slowing down, and Oilers Twitter/X is quiet enough that even a lacklustre rumour can start chaos. With that in mind, I thought I’d toss some gas on the fire with five BOLD predictions for the 2025-26 season. These predictions may be spicy, and while I’ll pretend I never said any of these takes if things go sideways, but if I’m right? You’ll never hear the end of it. Let’s get into it.

1. Connor McDavid hits 50 goals… again

Watching Connor McDavid score 50 goals (64 in 2022-23) once was a thrill. Doing it again? That’s the big man sending a message.

Last year, our beloved captain was clearly nursing something for stretches of the season, and while his goal scoring was down with “only” 26 goals, he still finished with 100 points like it was a Tuesday. All season long, he was dishing more than shooting, but you could feel the tap was still half open. This year? Fully healthy. Motivated. Contract extension hopefully in place. That’s a recipe for McMagic, my friends. And after missing out on Hart and Lindsay and every other individual award, I’m calling it now — Connor McDavid will come out firing this season and pot 50+ again for his second Rocket Richard Trophy. There’s nothing more dangerous than a motivated Connor McDavid, and I’m expecting this coming season to be one of his best. Book it now, people.

2. Matt Savoie wins the Calder Trophy

Matt Savoie is going to cook in his first full NHL season, and I’m predicting he’ll get a trophy for it too.

I think the Savoie hype train is going to start early in the year. He’s going to show up to camp, turn heads, and do what most Oilers rookies haven’t done in years — force the issue with pure speed and skill. While he will certainly get opportunities to play with the top dogs, the kid doesn’t need to be a top-line guy to make some noise. He just needs ice time, to stay healthy, and be given the chance to make his way into the NHL without fear of being stapled to the bench. If Savoie gets even 14–16 minutes per night, he’s going to pop for 25 goals, and I think that will translate into the franchise’s first-ever Calder Trophy win.

The kid’s skill is undeniable, the hockey sense is rock solid, and if Kris Knoblauch gives him a real shot, I can absolutely see him putting up 55+ points and walking away with the Calder. The last Oiler to do it? Barrett Jackman. Kidding. It’s never happened before. So why not now? Why not Matt Savoie?

3. Isaac Howard scores 20 goals

If you haven’t familiarized yourself with Isaac Howard yet, that’s fine — you’ll be screaming his name from your couch soon enough — because he’s going to pop off for 20+ goals in his rookie campaign. The kid has wheels, a scorer’s instinct, a deadly shot, and just the right amount of swagger to thrive in this market. I mean, how else would you describe a kid who calls himself the Ice Man?

I don’t think anyone’s pencilling him in for 20+ goals out of the gate, but that’s what makes this fun. We haven’t had prospects to be super excited about in a while, and I’m calling for big things from him. Let’s get BOLD! Whether he’s a third-line spark plug, moonlighting in the top-six, or a power-play shooter, Howard has the tools to surprise in his first NHL season after winning the Hobey Baker Award. Howard’s got a shoot-first mentality and plenty of self-belief, and with the right usage, I’m predicting that he’s going to cash in. Twenty goals for a rookie depth winger on a contending team? That’ll play. That’ll play reeeeeeal nice.

4. The Power Play reclaims the NHL throne

Don’t get me wrong here, the Oilers’ power play wasn’t bad last year. They finished at 23.7%, which was good for 12th in the NHL, but it just wasn’t the video-game cheat code it’s been in the past. The good news is that’s going to change this season.

With Evan Bouchard locked up and fully comfortable as the blue line quarterback, McDavid healthy, and the usual suspects back in the mix, Edmonton’s top unit is primed to remind the league why it was the most feared special teams group in modern history. Toss in Savoie or Howard as a second-unit bump, and you’ve got plenty of skilled options that can cause some damage. But the real key? Knoblauch can’t mess with what works just because Glen Gulutzan is gone. In fact, I hope someone stole Gully’s notebook on his way out because there is probably plenty of magic in them there pages. Either way, if the Oilers can get back to converting on the basics, they’re going to get back to being terrifying in a real hurry. And by the time April rolls around, the Oilers will be sitting atop the PP% leaderboard like it’s 2023 all over again.

5. Stuart Skinner shines in a contract year

You know how some folks are super annoyed with the Oilers’ goaltending situation? Stuart Skinner is going to use that as fuel and convert his best NHL season into a long-term contract with the club.

Heading into the final year of his deal, Skinner knows what’s at stake. This team has been only wins away from winning the sport’s ultimate prize, and I’m predicting he will take a step forward that no one necessarily expects. While he’s proven he can get the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final, the major difference we’ll see in Skinner’s game this season is an added layer of consistency. Instead of the usual ebbs and flows, we’re going to get a more consistent Stu, as he does everything humanly possible to help not only his team but his bargaining position for his next contract. I mean, it’s not uncommon for players to step up when there’s money to be made, and I’m thinking that will be the case with Skinner. I’m talking career-best save percentage. I’m talking sub-2.40 GAA. I’m talking 35+ wins. Skinner won’t win the Vezina Trophy, but he’ll earn every penny of the extension that’s coming his way. Doable? I think so.