This In From Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman, His In-Depth Explanation to Podcast Hosts on Key 2025–26 Roster Philosophy Shift
This in from Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman, who made a rare and candid appearance on the popular “100% Hockey” podcast hosted by John Shannon and Daren Millard. Over the course of nearly an hour, Bowman peeled back the curtain on several key decisions looming over the franchise, from possible trades and roster turnover to the bigger philosophical questions about team-building in an era of tight salary caps and rising expectations. It was a refreshingly transparent window into the mind of a GM tasked with keeping a Cup-contending team competitive while also laying a foundation for sustained excellence.
What stood out wasn’t just what Bowman said—it was how he said it. Confident, composed, and not afraid to acknowledge past missteps or explain internal logic, he offered insight that fans and analysts alike have been craving for months.
The first and most urgent topic broached by Millard was about the organization’s decision to maintain flexibility around several veteran contracts, especially those of players like Cody Ceci, Jack Campbell, and Brett Kulak. Bowman didn’t dodge it.
“Look, we’re not trying to quietly tear down or panic just because of a few bad stretches,” Bowman explained. “But we have to be real about the direction of the game, the makeup of our roster, and the dollars involved. The best teams in the league are fast, deep, and versatile. If you have a player whose role has shrunk but their cap hit hasn’t, that’s a conversation we have to have internally. Not out of disrespect—just responsibility.”
He was referring not only to Ceci’s place in the evolving defense corps but more broadly to how the Oilers are transitioning from a top-heavy team to one that can withstand the physical and mental grind of a four-round playoff war. While fans may clamor for flashy trades or blame certain players for playoff shortcomings, Bowman emphasized that any moves would be grounded in deeper strategic logic.
“You can’t just go out and trade a guy because he had a rough playoff game or he costs a bit more than you’d like,” Bowman said. “You have to ask: what’s the replacement plan? Who’s coming in? What are we doing to develop the next guy up? And how does it affect the core?”
That naturally brought the conversation to Jack Campbell. His $5 million annual salary remains a lightning rod for frustration among Edmonton fans, especially as Stuart Skinner continues to solidify his place as the starter. Bowman didn’t shy away from addressing the dilemma.
“We believed in Jack when we signed him, and we still believe he can be an NHL-caliber goaltender,” Bowman said. “But belief alone doesn’t justify the structure of a roster. There’s a math side to this. And if that math isn’t working for us or for him, we’re going to have to explore what makes sense for both parties. We’ve had those conversations. We’re not in a rush, but we’re honest about where we are.”
When Shannon asked if that meant the Oilers were shopping Campbell or retaining salary to move him, Bowman gave the type of measured, deliberate answer that has defined his approach.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘shopping,’ because that suggests we’re desperate to unload. That’s not where we are,” Bowman clarified. “But if the opportunity arises where Jack could go to a situation that fits him better and we can recoup value—or reallocate those resources—we’ll look at it. We’re keeping all doors open.”
Perhaps the most fascinating part of the interview came when Bowman shifted from discussing individual contracts to broader team culture. He pointed out that the locker room dynamic had changed—something casual fans might not see but something every contender grapples with as stars age and younger players step into bigger roles.
“It’s not 2019 anymore,” he said. “Connor [McDavid] and Leon [Draisaitl] aren’t just elite players—they’re veteran leaders now. And that means the expectations are different. They’ve both made sacrifices. They’ve both bought into a bigger vision. It’s our job to surround them with the type of group that reflects that vision—on and off the ice.”
Bowman revealed that over the offseason, he spent time with McDavid and Draisaitl discussing not just line combinations or systems but deeper philosophical questions about leadership, accountability, and legacy.
“These guys don’t just want to win—they want to win here, in Edmonton. That matters. And when you have that kind of commitment from your superstars, you better have a plan that honors it,” Bowman said.
One part of that plan involves giving young players real opportunities to break through. Bowman name-dropped Dylan Holloway, Raphael Lavoie, and Xavier Bourgault as names the front office was watching closely during training camp and preseason. He made it clear that if these players proved they belonged in the top nine or top six, the team would make room.
“There’s always this temptation to overpay for veterans at the deadline, and sometimes you have to,” Bowman said. “But the best long-term strategy is to let your young players force your hand. If Dylan Holloway earns a second-line spot, then we’re going to reward that. It might mean tough decisions elsewhere, but that’s how good teams evolve.”
And those tough decisions could very well involve someone like Warren Foegele or Ryan McLeod. When asked directly about their futures, Bowman was candid without being definitive.
“I love both those players,” he said. “They do a lot of things right—smart, defensively reliable, great team guys. But you reach a point where every dollar matters. If we’re extending one, what does that mean for the rest of the cap? If we can’t extend both, do we lose one for nothing next summer? Those are the hard conversations we’re having.”
In a moment of refreshing honesty, Bowman even acknowledged past mistakes—not just by him, but by the organization as a whole.
“I’ve made decisions I’d take back. Every GM has,” he said. “But the job is to learn, not to repeat. What we’ve learned in Edmonton is that you can’t patch over structural flaws with deadline rentals. You have to build the machine so that it runs clean on its own. Then the rentals are just fuel, not repairs.”
Bowman was also asked about his approach to trade timing—whether the Oilers would be proactive and make early moves, or wait until the deadline market shakes out.
“It depends on how the team plays,” he said. “If we see a hole early, we’re not afraid to act. But you don’t want to trade future assets in October for something that might not be relevant in May. So we’ll be aggressive, but measured.”
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the conversation wasn’t about any one player or transaction—it was about trust. Bowman emphasized that the front office, coaching staff, and core players are aligned in a way that wasn’t always the case in years past.
“There’s no more finger-pointing. No silos. When Kris [Knoblauch] talks to me about what he needs, I listen. When Connor or Leon have thoughts on a teammate, I listen. We’re in this together. That’s how championship teams work.”
By the end of the interview, it was clear Bowman wasn’t laying the groundwork for a full-scale retool. He was signaling something more nuanced: a transition. Not a rebuild. Not an all-in plunge. But a steady reshaping of the roster to ensure the Oilers’ window stays open for as long as McDavid and Draisaitl are in their primes.
“It’s easy to chase,” he said. “Much harder to build. We’re building something here. It’s not perfect yet. But we’re closer than people think.”
For Oilers fans listening in, that message was likely the most encouraging of all—not because it promised a blockbuster, but because it promised a plan. One built not on panic or impulse, but on vision, communication, and honest self-assessment.
And in today’s NHL, that may be the most valuable asset of all.
