Stan Bowman Maintains Calm Despite Key Departures as Edmonton Oilers Continue Strategic Roster Overhaul Ahead of 2025-26 NHL Season
The winds of change have swept through Edmonton this offseason. The Oilers, perennial Stanley Cup hopefuls in recent years, have entered the 2025-26 campaign with a new tone, a reshaped roster, and a new voice guiding hockey operations. That voice — newly appointed general manager Stan Bowman — has wasted no time in making difficult decisions. Several familiar names have exited the lineup, some via free agency and others through trade maneuverings, yet Bowman remains calm and confident about the team’s long-term trajectory. And while fans may still be adjusting to the reality of these departures, Bowman is reportedly not overly concerned.
In fact, the sense around the Oilers’ front office is one of quiet assurance. Bowman, who brings three Stanley Cup rings from his time in Chicago, has seen enough championship-building to understand that success often requires subtraction before addition. According to multiple sources close to the organization, Bowman has described the offseason thus far as “strategic,” emphasizing the importance of asset management, roster balance, and financial flexibility in a cap-driven league.
Among the most notable players not returning for 2025-26 are forward Warren Foegele, defenseman Brett Kulak, and backup goaltender Calvin Pickard. All three played important roles during Edmonton’s playoff push last season. Foegele’s mix of speed and physicality on the wing made him a reliable bottom-six presence, while Kulak’s versatility and steady defensive zone play gave the Oilers flexibility on the blue line. Pickard, meanwhile, provided critical relief minutes in goal, winning over teammates and fans alike with his composure under pressure.
Still, Bowman was prepared for the cost of continuity. With salary cap constraints and looming contract negotiations — particularly involving stars like Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard — Edmonton simply couldn’t keep everyone. According to sources familiar with internal discussions, Bowman and the coaching staff made clear-eyed evaluations of which players were most replaceable based on role, cap hit, and developmental pipeline. That clarity, they believe, has allowed the organization to act decisively.
Bowman’s methodical approach was evident in how quickly he pivoted to replace outgoing talent. Andrew Mangiapane, a high-motor winger capable of playing both ends of the ice, was signed shortly after free agency opened. While not a direct replacement for Foegele, Mangiapane brings a similar style of play with greater offensive upside. The former Calgary Flame had a dip in production last season, but Bowman reportedly sees him as a potential bounce-back candidate whose best fit may be in Edmonton’s top nine, if not the top six.
Similarly, the signings of Curtis Lazar and Kaapo Kakko addressed two different needs: grit and potential. Lazar, a seasoned bottom-line center with penalty-kill chops and faceoff ability, brings reliability and toughness. Kakko, once considered a cornerstone in New York, arrives on a “prove-it” deal — a calculated risk by Bowman that could pay off handsomely if the 24-year-old finds his game alongside elite playmakers.
Still, these additions haven’t quelled all concerns. The Oilers’ depth chart is, by Bowman’s own admission, a work in progress. The defense, especially the third pairing, lacks established experience beyond Vincent Desharnais, and there’s pressure on former first-rounder Philip Broberg to seize a full-time role. Broberg’s development has been slower than anticipated, but Bowman believes the organization has the resources and coaching to support his growth. Internally, the Oilers are optimistic that Broberg can handle a larger load and that young players like Beau Akey may be closer to NHL minutes than expected.
Goaltending remains another hot topic. With Pickard gone and Jack Campbell’s future still unresolved, the question of who backs up Stuart Skinner lingers over training camp. Bowman, according to team insiders, has explored both trade and free-agent options but is content to wait for the right opportunity. He’s in no rush to force a decision that might box the club into further cap inflexibility. Olivier Rodrigue is one in-house candidate being evaluated, and Bowman has made clear he’s open to starting the year with a younger goalie — if that player earns it.
While some general managers might panic at the thought of going into a season with questions at key positions, Bowman seems to be taking the long view. His front office has focused on creating optionality — a term that’s become a hallmark of modern NHL roster-building. By avoiding long-term commitments to depth players and retaining cap space, Bowman has left the door open for mid-season reinforcements. This is especially important for a team like Edmonton, which now views the trade deadline as a final tool for perfecting a contender rather than reshaping one.
Bowman’s confidence also stems from the fact that Edmonton’s core remains intact. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are still the league’s most dominant duo. Zach Hyman is coming off a career year. Evan Bouchard has blossomed into a top-tier offensive defenseman. And the Ekholm-Bouchard pairing gives Edmonton a foundation that rivals any in the NHL. Even if some role players have changed, the engine of the team remains as powerful as ever.
From Bowman’s perspective, it’s that core — and not the role players around them — that ultimately determines a team’s ceiling. His job, he believes, is to make sure the supporting cast complements that core in ways that maximize flexibility, enhance chemistry, and hold up over a seven-game series. By that metric, he feels Edmonton is on the right track.
Bowman’s reputation, for better or worse, is built on a willingness to make bold moves. In Chicago, he traded fan favorites, leaned into youth, and made calculated bets that often paid off in hardware. In Edmonton, he inherits a different kind of situation — one where the foundation is already built, but the scaffolding around it needs continual reinforcement.
And to that end, he’s not done. League sources say Bowman is still working the phones, gauging the trade market for additional forward depth and exploring long-term contract extensions for critical players. One of his top priorities is clarity on Leon Draisaitl’s future. While Draisaitl is under contract through 2026, the franchise can’t afford uncertainty around one of the league’s top players. Bowman’s approach will be to create a winning environment that convinces Draisaitl to stay — not just with promises, but with results.
That’s why Bowman is reportedly unbothered by the noise around the offseason losses. He sees roster turnover as part of a larger evolution. For the Oilers to become a champion, they must remain adaptable, forward-thinking, and willing to take short-term discomfort in pursuit of long-term stability. Bowman believes the team has enough internal competition, enough cap agility, and enough star power to weather the adjustments.
He’s also keenly aware that his decisions will be judged not in October or November, but next spring. That’s the nature of building in the McDavid era. Regular-season success is expected; playoff results are the only true currency. In that context, Bowman’s steady hand — and his refusal to overreact to offseason losses — may prove to be his greatest asset.
So while the roster may look different, and some fan-favorites are gone, Edmonton’s new general manager is sticking to his plan. He’s not worried, because he’s not finished. The 2025-26 Oilers are a work in progress, but if Bowman’s track record and quiet confidence are any indication, that progress may yet lead to something special.
