The NHL preseason is almost here for the 32 franchises. For the Edmonton Oilers there are a a handful of players entering the 2025–26 campaign as a “prove it” type season. Be it living up to expectations, proving their a system fit, or even that their contract was money well spent.

Let’s take a look at five current Oilers players entering a make it or break it year in terms of fitting in with the vision of the Edmonton Oilers.

Honourable mentions: Max Jones and Curtis Lazar

Both of Max Jones and Curtis Lazar are facing the problem of “can they carve out a role in the Oilers bottom-six” and be a reliable depth solution this season. They both face significant competition in some of the almost NHL ready prospects within the Oilers system.

Jones has all the elements that coaches like in a bottom-six forward with compete, physical elements, and enough senses to be a moderate checker and creator. The American forward has also faced some adversity lately, most notably spending a majority of the season in the AHL last year with Providence.

This could be the year Jones proves once again he could be a daily NHL player.

Lazar certainly has some element of longevity in the NHL, but he has yet to play a full 82 game season for one reason or another. The most games the Canadian forward suited up for was 76 way back in the 2015–16 season, while only appearing in just over half the season with New Jersey last season.

Is this the year that he can carve out a daily NHL roster spot for himself and remain a reliable option for Knoblauch and staff? This remains to be the question for his 2025–26 campaign.

Factors:

Roster Spot

Opportunity

Performance

5. Trent Frederic, Forward

Frederic enters this season on what is ultimately his first “big boy” contract. At a $3.85 AAV, the St. Louis product needs to prove to both the organization and fanbase that he’s worth it. Frederic played a reliable bottom-six role in the Oilers most recent playoff run, but can he build on that success.

The scoresheet might not be the best determinant for Frederic’s success this season, but his TOI and usage would provide a more accurate picture.

Factors:

Performance

Opportunity

Cost effectiveness

4. Ty Emberson, Defence

Emberson has proven he is an quality NHL defender. The question that his second full year with the club will answer some of the longer term questions regarding Emberson’s exact lineup spot, and long term projection.

Emberson brings a stable presence for the Oilers backend, with good defensive senses, capable puck skills, and strong physical elements. Add in the cost effective $1.3M AAV, and there is always room for players like Emberson in the NHL.

This season is not so much a possible break year, but more of a “will Emberson show third or second pairing potential.” The question remains of if Emberson will show more two-way or offensive upside to justify moving the young defender up the lineup.

Factors:

Opportunity

Potential/growth

Performance

3. Jake Walman, Defence

There is no doubt that Walman is a higher end NHL quality defender. Walman on the backend provides the Oilers with a top end mobile two-way defenders game highlighted by senses, skating, and shooting. He can make a difference in all three zones on any given shift.

The thing that makes this a make or break year for Walman is the 2025–26 campaign is his first full season with the Alberta based club.

Much like in everyday life, first impressions are key and this season will ideally reinforce that positive impression that the Toronto product made during the second half of last season,

The 2025–26 campaign will better articulate Walman’s fit into the Edmonton Oilers system, lineup, and possible pairing partners. Much like Emberson, this next season will help Walman demonstrate his exact long-term fit into the Oilers lineup.

Factors:

System fit

Pairing chemistry

Opportunity

2. Darnell Nurse, Defence

It almost feels like every year Nurse is battling to prove he is worth the $9.25M AAV that his contract carries. This 2025–26 season is no different.

The 30-year-old rearguard has proven he is a capable top four option in the NHL, but that doesn’t detract that judgement from both fans and media that his contract is slightly bloated for his role. An All-Star level performance this upcoming season might just change that perception.

Factors:

Cost effectiveness

Performance

Perception

1. Stuart Skinner, Goalie

Skinner is more than a serviceable NHL option in net. That being said this is the year that the soon to be 27-year-old goaltender needs to prove that he can be the guy in net for the Oilers. In order for Skinner to fit into the Oilers long term plans he needs to prove that he can be more than

The WHL alumni is coming off of two rocky seasons where he has shown some signs of consistentcy issues. This season is the year for Skinner to prove that he can be the Oilers goaltender now, and the near future.

The Oilers need a Skinner start to inspire the team with confidence, and the past three seasons have not particularly done that. Skinners performances in the playoffs has left much to be desire posting a .883 in 2022–23, a .901 in 2023–24, and a .889 in this past run.

If Skinner has another sub .900 season it is quite likely that Oilers management will start to explore replacement options as soon as the trade deadline.

Factors:

Performance

Consistentcy

Organizational confidence

Organizational direction

There are plenty of expectations facing Oilers players, and for a handful of them this could be a make or break season for them in a multitude of ways.

What other players do you think are facing make or break season? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire

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