Connor McDavid leads Oilers’ Stanley Cup futures after offseason shake-up

Connor McDavid will headline the Edmonton Oilers’ push for a third straight Stanley Cup Final run in 2026-27 after Alberta’s sportsbooks opened betting markets on July 13.

The Oilers’ offseason has been a whirlwind. They crashed out in the first round to the Anaheim Ducks on 25 Apr 2026, their lowest full-season point total (93) since 2018-19. That finish left them six points shy of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference: a brutal drop after back-to-back Cup Final appearances.

General manager Ken Holland reacted fast. He shipped out Darnell Nurse, who’d requested a trade, to the San Jose Sharks. In came Shakir Mukhamadullin, a former first-round pick, on a two-year deal. Behind the bench, Kris Knoblauch was fired after nearly three seasons. Mike Babcock, freshly reinstated by the NHL, took over despite his Toronto Maple Leafs tenure ending in acrimony.

Despite the turmoil, the books still rate the Oilers highly. They sit fourth overall for the Stanley Cup, second for the Western Conference title, and top the Pacific Division futures. Their 93-point 2025-26 season is the lowest full-season total since 2018-19: and one of only two times in 40 years they’ve finished below 104 points.

One futures market stands out: Under 104.5 points (-115). That line reflects skepticism after a disappointing exit, but the roster changes: including the Levi pickup and long-term deals for Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy: aim to reload fast.

Connor McDavid turns 29 in January 2027. He’s the engine of any Oilers success. Even with coaching uncertainty and roster turnover, his production keeps the futures alive. The league’s best player isn’t going anywhere, and the market knows it.

Alberta’s regulated sports betting launch on July 13 adds fresh urgency. Fans can now wager on McDavid’s Oilers with provincial oversight, using apps like DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars.

Training camp opens in late September. McDavid will skate with a revamped group: Levi in net, Mukhamadullin on defense, and Babcock calling the shots. The Pacific Division is wide open after the Ducks’ playoff run, so every point matters.

The futures line says McDavid’s Oilers are still title contenders. The question is whether the offseason moves: and a new bench boss: can translate into playoff success after a stunning first-round exit.