Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

With a mediocre free agent class on the horizon, host Nick Zararis breaks down why Edmonton must look to the trade market to fix their roster. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, we dive deep into the complex systems of NHL trades, how general managers lose their leverage out of desperation, and how you can reverse engineer trade rumors to separate fact from absolute nonsense.

Plus, we look back at the Tristan Jarry trade as a textbook example of poor leverage management and look ahead at the exact goalie targets and RFA swings Stan Bowman and management should entertain this offseason.

06:08 Oilers' goalie trade challenges

08:47 Oilers' risky goalie decisions

12:35 Promoting Game Time ticket app

13:47 Discussing trade markets and free agency

17:53 Florida Panthers' 2023 playoff journey

21:14 Oilers offseason moves and strategy

23:50 Concerns about Oilers' goalie choices

29:10 Signing RFA players for Oilers

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.

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The NHL salary cap just jumped to $104 MILLION — and every single team in the league is swimming in money. So why is the 2026 NHL free agent class one of the weakest in recent memory? And what does that mean for the Edmonton Oilers heading into the offseason? In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Sarras breaks down the full NHL free agency landscape from the macro economics to the Oilers' specific roster needs — and why the flood of cap money actually makes free agency MORE dangerous, not less.

NHL Free Agency 2026: Why Every Team Has HUGE Money & What It Means for the Edmonton Oilers

 

05:30 Cap space dynamics in NHL trades

07:25 NHL player trade strategies

11:18 NHL's financial challenges during COVID

14:00 Oilers' lineup changes and free agents

17:54 Discussing potential player trades

22:00 Risky free agent signings

23:15 Understanding world-class athlete instincts

26:53 Evaluating NHL Defenseman Options

 

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.

5-Hour ENERGY

Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Edmonton Oilers have all the star power, but do they have the blueprint for a Stanley Cup championship? In this episode, we wrap up our "Contender Series" by dissecting exactly what separates the perennial playoff hopefuls from the final four teams in the NHL.

We take a deep dive into the organizational failures and tactical shifts that the Oilers must address this offseason to move from "contender" to "champion."

 

 

06:16 Evaluating team management and trades

07:27 Evaluating Player Usage and Strategy

12:07 Evolving coaching philosophies

14:32 Optimizing player line combinations

20:46 Evaluating player potential in hockey

22:26 Discussing player roles in hockey

26:06 Mental challenges in professional hockey

28:21 Transitioning to NHL offseason

 

The "Contender Trap": What the Oilers Must Change to Win the Stanley Cup

 

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.

5-Hour ENERGY

Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon

Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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What can a powerhouse team like the Edmonton Oilers learn from a rebuilding-turned-contender squad like the Montreal Canadiens? More than you think.

In this Thursday edition of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis continues the Final Four comparison series by diving deep into the massive gap in organizational coherence between Edmonton and Montreal. While the Oilers have stacked individual talent like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard, they are treating roster construction like a simple math problem—ignoring how those pieces actually fit together. Meanwhile, Montreal’s leadership triad of Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes, and Marty St. Louis has established a flawless, metronomic blueprint for player optimization and development that Edmonton desperately needs to replicate.

From the misuse of free agents like Jeff Skinner and Andrew Mangiapane to the short leashes on top prospects, we break down why the Oilers are in a synchronized panic and how they can fix it before the window slams shut

05:11 Hiring Jeff Gorton for rebuild

07:22 Montreal's long-term rebuilding plan

11:56 Coaching young NHL players

14:58 Oilers' roster and coaching challenges

18:06 Team Strategy and Player Development

20:38 Promoting ED treatment and tips

25:51 Player lineup and performance challenges

26:57 Oilers player management issues

The SHOCKING Lesson The Edmonton Oilers MUST Learn From The Montreal Canadiens 
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.

5-Hour ENERGY

Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon

Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Carolina Hurricanes went up 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. What can the Edmonton Oilers learn from a team that thrives on a specific, hard-working identity? In this Wednesday edition of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis continues the playoff comparison series by breaking down how the Hurricanes have sustained a window of contention.

We dive deep into how a great coach and a phenomenal system can unlock a franchise's full potential

05:03 Discussing Carolina Hurricanes' System Success

07:34 Oilers' player fit criticisms

10:57 Join the Everydayer Club

15:12 Challenges of Modern NHL Defensemen

19:11 Carolina maximizing value decisions

22:43 Cost-cutting and front office changes

25:29 Goaltending strategy and team flexibility

28:22 Carolina Hurricanes' effective lineup depth

What the Oilers MUST Learn From the Carolina Hurricanes' Success

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.

5-Hour ENERGY

Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon

Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.