The dust settles on the Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers, and the focus quickly shifts from heartbreak to rebuilding, and Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman is not mincing words.

In his season-ending media availability, Bowman made it clear where he believes changes are coming: the forward group and, most importantly, the goaltending.

Goaltending and Forward Core Under Review as Oilers GM Plans Key Offseason Changes

Speaking alongside head coach Kris Knoblauch, Bowman gave a direct assessment of what went wrong and what could improve ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.

Acknowledging the role of the defense in the Oilers’ second consecutive Cup Final run, Bowman pointed out that part of the team can expect minimal change.

“The area with probably the least amount of change will be the defense,” he noted. He highlighted the parts of the team that need the most help, namely the forwards and, of course, the goalie.

Bowman’s honesty was especially notable when addressing the goaltending, which is a position that is often referred to as the backbone of any Stanley Cup contender.

“Goaltending is strange,” he said. “In a way, it is the most important position, but often at times the goalie you think is the best isn’t. In three of the four rounds, we had the better goaltending. They weren’t elite, but they were better.”

“Goaltending is strange. In a way it is the most important position, but often at times the goalie you think is the best isn’t. In three of the four rounds we had the better goaltending. I can’t explain how in the first three rounds, our goaltending was better. They weren’t…

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Despite that relative advantage in earlier rounds, the Oilers’ netminders failed to deliver when it mattered most against Florida. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard both had solid moments throughout the playoffs, but neither managed to provide the crucial, momentum-saving stops in the Stanley Cup Final against a Panthers team that captured their second consecutive championship.

The Panthers defeated Edmonton 4-2 in the series, completing their title defense after winning their first Stanley Cup the previous season. For the Oilers, it marked their second straight Final appearance but their second consecutive heartbreak on hockey’s biggest stage.

Now, the challenge is identifying what upgrades are even possible. “You can’t just go down the corner and get an elite goalie,” Bowman added. This highlights a harsh truth in today’s NHL: elite goaltenders are rare, and acquiring one requires either a bold trade or a hefty financial commitment.

In addition to goaltending, Bowman hinted at possible changes up front. Players like Viktor Arvidsson and Evander Kane might be on the move. Kane was reportedly being shopped at the trade deadline before returning from LTIR, and with lingering concerns about his fit and consistency, the Oilers may try again to part ways this summer.

While the Oilers’ defense has earned the GM’s vote of confidence, the pressure is now on the front office to devise a plan to strengthen the roster in other key areas. With Bowman now overseeing his first full offseason since being hired on July 24, 2024, the team is positioned better than it was in previous years when front office transitions proved costly.

Ultimately, the Oilers remain close to achieving their championship goal, but fine-tuning the roster, especially in net, could be the difference next year. Bowman and his staff now have the summer months to determine how to address their biggest weaknesses and keep their championship window open with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime.