Inside the Oilers’ roster choices to improve their chances of winning the Stanley Cup: A Q&A with Stan Bowman | The Athletic
In a recent in-depth Q&A with The Athletic, Stan Bowman, a veteran NHL executive and former Chicago Blackhawks general manager, offered insight into the Edmonton Oilers’ current roster moves and how they might improve their chances of winning the Stanley Cup. As one of the most respected figures in the hockey world, Bowman’s perspective on the Oilers’ roster and strategies provides a valuable look into the decision-making processes of top NHL organizations. With the Oilers poised to make a serious playoff run, Bowman’s opinions could shed light on the moves the team is considering to bolster their championship hopes.
Q: Stan, thanks for joining us. Let’s dive right into it. The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the league, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge. But despite their star power, they haven’t been able to secure the Stanley Cup. What do you think is missing for them?
Stan Bowman: Well, first of all, let me start by saying that the Oilers are a really exciting team to watch. McDavid and Draisaitl are two of the best players the league has seen in a long time, and they have the kind of high-end talent that can carry a team deep into the playoffs. The issue for Edmonton, however, has been around the defensive side of the puck. While their offense is elite, their defense and goaltending have been inconsistent, and you just can’t win a Cup with just one side of the game clicking.
In my experience, the most successful Cup-winning teams are those that can balance offense with defense. They need to make sure they have the right pieces on defense who can both shut down top opposition players and move the puck efficiently. Their goaltending, as we’ve seen this season, also needs to improve. So, in short, they need to get stronger on the defensive end to give McDavid and the other forwards a better chance to finish games with the lead.
Q: Edmonton’s goaltending has been a point of contention for years. With Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner holding down the crease, how would you evaluate their play so far this season, and what might the Oilers need to do in that area?
Stan Bowman: Goaltending is always one of those tricky positions to assess. It’s one of the most important, but also one of the hardest to predict. Looking at Campbell and Skinner, I think there’s potential with both of them, but neither has shown that they can carry a team to a championship just yet. Campbell has been a good goalie in the past, but this season, he’s struggled with consistency. Skinner, on the other hand, is a young goalie who’s still finding his way in the league. He’s shown some flashes of brilliance, but it’s clear that he’s still a bit raw.
If I were in charge, I would be looking to add an experienced goaltender who’s proven they can perform under pressure, particularly in the postseason. A guy who’s been through the grind of the playoffs and understands what it takes to win. Whether that’s a trade or a free-agent signing, I think the Oilers need to address this area soon to give themselves the best shot at success. Goaltending can make or break a championship run.
Q: The Oilers’ blue line has been another point of concern. What do they need to add to their defense to make themselves a more well-rounded team come playoff time?
Stan Bowman: Their blue line is definitely a work in progress. They have some solid pieces, like Darnell Nurse, but they could really benefit from adding a top-pair defenseman who can not only defend but also be a threat offensively. You can’t just rely on your forwards to carry the puck up the ice all the time; your defensemen need to contribute offensively as well.
One of the things that I think is really important for teams who want to make a deep playoff run is adding that kind of all-around defenseman—a guy who can play against top lines, kill penalties, and provide offensive contributions. The Oilers already have a high-powered offense, but if they can find a defenseman who can complement that and contribute in multiple areas, they’ll be much harder to beat. That’s an area where they should focus their efforts.
Q: The Oilers have been linked to several potential trade targets leading up to the deadline, including some big-name players. Who would you look to add if you were in the Oilers’ shoes?
Stan Bowman: If I were in Ken Holland’s position, I would definitely be looking to add a big-bodied forward who can contribute both in front of the net and on the penalty kill. The Oilers need more size and physicality throughout their lineup, especially on the bottom six, where they’ve lacked that extra punch. They’ve got plenty of skill up front with McDavid and Draisaitl, but come playoff time, you need depth and guys who can play in the dirty areas of the ice.
On the defensive side, they should be looking for someone who can eat minutes and play a shutdown role. You need a defenseman who isn’t afraid to take on tough assignments and can handle the pressure that comes with playing in high-stakes games. A player like that can be the difference in tight playoff games, and it would allow their other defensemen to play in roles where they can be more offensive-minded.
Q: How important is the leadership aspect in these decisions? Edmonton has had a lot of turnover in recent years, and there’s pressure to build a Cup contender. How crucial is it for them to maintain continuity and team chemistry in their pursuit of a championship?
Stan Bowman: Leadership is absolutely critical in any championship run. When you have a player like McDavid, who is clearly the face of the team, the other guys need to understand their roles and contribute in a way that makes the team better as a whole. Chemistry is huge in the locker room, and you can’t underestimate the importance of veteran leadership, especially when you get to the tough moments in the playoffs.
What I think is important for the Oilers is that they keep building around McDavid and Draisaitl, but they also need to make sure they have the right type of players in the room—guys who are willing to sacrifice and play a structured game. It’s easy to rely on star players during the regular season, but in the playoffs, everyone needs to pull their weight. Bringing in veterans who have been through that playoff grind is one way to build chemistry and make sure the team stays focused on the ultimate goal: winning the Stanley Cup.
Q: Finally, given what we’ve seen this season, do you think the Oilers are closer to being legitimate Cup contenders, or is there still more work to be done?
Stan Bowman: They’re certainly closer than they were in the past. McDavid and Draisaitl are generational talents, and you can’t deny that. They’ve built a solid offensive core, and they’re certainly capable of going on a deep run if things break right. But I don’t think they’re quite there yet. The work on defense and in goal still needs to be done, and they’ll need to address those areas sooner rather than later. If they can make those moves before the deadline, I think they’ll be in a great position to compete for the Cup.
But make no mistake—the window for a championship is open, and if the Oilers don’t get the right pieces in place, they might miss their chance. The time to act is now. If they can solidify those areas, they’ll definitely be a team to watch come playoff time.
