The 11th annual best thing about each Edmonton Oilers player Christmas list is in.
And the best thing things about each of the following Edmonton players is…
Connor McDavid. He found a way this December to open our eyes and be utterly amazed and newly delighted.
Leon Draisaitl. He’s already got 1000 points, but you get the sense there might be another 1000 in him.
Evan Bouchard. When the games are most intense, only a handful of other d-men in the world can play at his level.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He’s not getting older, he’s getting better.
Zach Hyman. The perfect wingman for McDavid, a task where almost everyone else has failed but he’s succeeded year after year.
Jack Roslovic. The Evan Bouchard of forwards, a stone cold killer with the puck, calm, patient and skilled.
Mattias Ekholm. He’s brought his game all the way back to where it was last season, a top first-pairing NHL d-man.
Vasili Podkolzin. Through aggression, strength, skill and a remarkable work ethic, he’s become a local legend and second-line NHL winger.
Darnell Nurse. After a rough playoffs and poor start, he’s back to playing his best hockey, a simple, safe, fast and physically violent two-way game.
Matthew Savoie. When he’s at his best, moving his feet and battling for the puck, he comes across as a new and smaller version of Hyman.
Andrew Mangiapane. A smart and sound defender. He’s still finding his way on the attack but showing signs he can help this Oilers team in the 2026 playoffs.
Jake Walman. His solid two-way play in the 2025 playoffs brings hope he’ll do the same in the crucial years to come of the McDavid/Draisaitl era.
Adam Henrique. Smart as a tack, great on face-offs, the penalty kill, and in tight to the opposition net.
Ty Emberson. Ever more confident and physical, he’s become a bottom-pairing mainstay.
Mattias Janmark. His speed is back, along with a stretch of defensive play as excellent as his work in 2022-23 here.
David Tomasek. When he puts his mind to it, he can bull with the puck to the net with the best of them.
Noah Philp. Big, smart, effective two-way centre who only needs to get healthy to again battle for steady fourth line work.
Isaac Howard. Great shooter, calm with the puck, his brilliant scoring in the AHL speaks of a futrue NHLer.
Alec Regula. Big, rangy, sound positionally and adept with the puck — all the attributes of a budding second-pairing d-man.
Trent Frederic. When the going gets toughest, shows some propensity to stand up for his teammates in a courageous and effective manner.
Kasperi Kapanen. Shot out of a cannon in the 2025 playoffs, only injury has held him back this year.
Curtis Lazar. A source of never-ending hustle.
Quinn Hutson. Deft with the puck, smart on the ice, keen to defend, all the makings of a Top 9 forward on the team.
Connor Clattenburg. Already a fan favourite for his roller derby style of play, he could be a regular by the 2026 playoffs.
Max Jones. Finally showing the consistent grit, aggression and occasional offence of a fourth line forward at the NHL level.
Connor Ingram. Showing agility and calm in net, he’s making a serious statement that he’s ready to be back in the NHL.
Tristan Jarry. Big, fast, agile, great with the puck, Jarry was winning over Oil Country fast before his injury.
Spencer Stastney. Lightning on his skates, solid at his position, Stastney looks like a solid bottom-pairing fit.
Calvin Pickard. A playoff hero two years running, loved by his team, and battling back after a cold start to give the Oilers some solid starts.
To all our readers and listeners, and to all Oilers fans and hockey fans and players in Canada and around the world, have a great Christmas and a brilliant New Year!
Previous Years:
2024Â 2023Â 2022Â 2021 2020 (covid year)2019 2018 2017 2016 2015Â
At the Cult of Hockey
Connor McDavid’s remarkable Christmas gift to Edmonton Oilers fans