Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are entering a critical offseason landscape defined by rising salary caps and star players leveraging their way to new teams. With free agency looking lackluster, host Nick Zararis breaks down 9 potential trade targets across three tiers—Buy Low, Shake Things Up, and Franchise Shifting—that could elevate the Oilers back to Stanley Cup contenders.

From long-term replacements for veteran depth to high-risk goaltending gambles and franchise-altering defensive pieces, we dive into the logistics, cap impacts, and roster fits for Edmonton.

05:04 Mason McTavish trade potential

08:35 Ice time and potential trades

12:17 Exploring the Oilers' trade market

14:57 Evaluating potential goalie trades

18:25 Analyzing potential player trades

22:02 Offseason strategy and expectations

25:33 Larkin's potential team moves

29:07 Blues' team transition discussion

9 Targets To Save The Edmonton Oilers Contender Status

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

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Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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Is history repeating itself in Edmonton? In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down his instant reaction to the Edmonton Oilers signing 30-year-old forward Jason Dickinson to a massive five-year contract extension worth $4 million per year.

While Dickinson is a perfectly serviceable, defense-first third-line center , giving five years of term to a depth player turning 31 this summer is a massive gamble. Nick explains exactly why these types of "golden parachute" contracts rarely age well in today's NHL salary cap environment and how it limits the team's window of contention.

We take a 10,000-foot view of the Oilers' fatal roster construction issues. From Stan Bowman's refusal to embrace a proper development year for young stars like Matt Savoy and Ike Howard , to the looming questions surrounding Mike Babcock , and a goaltending situation that remains a total disaster—the Oilers are trying to "defense" their way to a championship in an era where offense wins games. Are they wasting the peak years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl by putting all the heavy lifting back on their shoulders?

06:26 Building a solid third line

07:46 Evaluating Player Longevity and Value

12:10 Discussing Jason Dickinson contract extension

15:35 Discussing Jason Dickinson's playoff role

20:35 Discussing Oilers' team strategy

21:48 Discussing team depth issues

26:21 Comparing current NHL player performances

29:33 Oilers' roster and performance issues

Why the Jason Dickinson extension is a massive risk for the 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!

Decagon

Ready to transform your customer support? Go to decagon.ai/LOCKEDONNHL to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.

 

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

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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 are making major waves in the NHL headlines, from a potential Mike Babcock hiring to massive Darnell Nurse trade rumors. 

In today’s episode, host Nick Zararis breaks down the shocking reports from Emily Kaplan and Elliot Friedman indicating that the NHL has cleared the path for the Edmonton Oilers to hire Mike Babcock. We dive deep into why the NHL won't block the move , look back at Babcock’s controversial past in Toronto and Columbus , and discuss why this hiring could turn into an unmitigated disaster for McDavid, Draisaitl, and the Oilers' championship window.

Plus, we reverse-engineer the latest NHL trade market leaks. TSN’s Darren Dreger dropped a massive update linking Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse to the Pittsburgh Penguins. What would a Nurse-to-Pittsburgh trade look like under Kyle Dubas and Stan Bowman? Are the Oilers about to get stuck taking back Ryan Graves' bad contract?

Finally, we round out the show with a massive league-wide NHL trade market recap. We analyze the Toronto Maple Leafs' mind-boggling 8-year extension for Darren Raddysh , and the recent Leafs-Flyers trade involving Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit, and Samuel Ersson

03:05 NHL avoiding court with Babcock

08:39 Concerns about rehiring Mike Babcock

15:09 Penguins trade interest in Darnell Nurse

18:09 Oilers' trade and contract concerns

23:53 Overvaluing a Breakout Season

26:16 Evaluating Leafs' management and future

29:17 Joining the Everyday Club

Oilers cleared to hire Mike Babcock | Is Darnell Nurse on his way to Pittsburgh?

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!

Decagon

Ready to transform your customer support? Go to decagon.ai/LOCKEDONNHL to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.

 

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

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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 Carolina Hurricanes are the 2026 Stanley Cup Champions, cementing themselves as one of the most unconventional cup-winning rosters of the modern NHL salary cap era. On today’s edition of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down the massive fallout from the Stanley Cup Final and unpacks the exact blueprints, principles, and roster-building lessons the Edmonton Oilers must steal from Carolina to build a sustainable championship contender. 

Unlike traditional champions anchored by future Hall of Fame superstars or elite number-one centers, Eric Tulsky and the Hurricanes front office built a "weakness-free" roster defined by historical 5-on-5 dominance and elite four-line depth. We dive deep into the numbers behind Carolina's postseason run—outscoring opponents 46 to 28 at even strength—and how pieces like Nikolai Ehlers, K'Andre Miller, Sean Walker, and Taylor Hall completely transformed this team. 

Plus, we look at the striking roster-building parallels between the Hurricanes and the NBA's New York Knicks, discussing how both front offices accurately identified their core's limitations and went all-in on elite depth over top-heavy stars. Finally, we apply these takeaways directly to the Edmonton Oilers' offseason. From moving on from heavy contracts to finding the next Logan Stankoven or Jackson Blake, how can the Oilers augment the core of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard with a championship-caliber supporting cast? 

 

05:11 Carolina Hurricanes' roster strategy

08:06 Hurricanes roster and front office strategy

12:42 Lessons from Carolina Hurricanes

17:26 Carolina Hurricanes' team depth

20:37 Carolina wins second Stanley Cup

24:54 Trade and team rotation strategy

26:49 Carolina's financial strategy and options

29:35 Join Everyday Air Club

How The Carolina Hurricanes Just Changed The NHL Forever (And What The Oilers MUST Learn!)

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!

Decagon

Ready to transform your customer support? Go to decagon.ai/LOCKEDONNHL to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.

 

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

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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 and Darnell Nurse are officially ready for a change of scenery. On this Monday edition of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down the mounting frustrations surrounding Nurse, his current workload, and why the Oilers media and coaching staff believe his time in Edmonton might be coming to an end. 

 

While physical traits like his size, 74th-percentile skating speed, and 80th-percentile shot power make him a general manager's dream on paper, his lack of hockey instincts and struggle to adapt to a defense-first role have made him one of the most polarizing players on the roster. We dive deep into his 19:14 even-strength ice time, his disappearing power-play role behind Evan Bouchard and Jake Walman, and his tough minutes away from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. 

Plus, we look at the blueprint of past Stanley Cup champions (like Ryan McDonough, Aaron Ekblad, and Jay Bouwmeester) to define exactly what kind of overqualified, elite number-three defenseman the Oilers need to target if they want to reopen their championship window. Can players already on the roster like Connor Murphy, Ty Emberson, or Jake Walman step up, or do the Oilers need to make a massive splash in the trade market?

05:55 Evan Bouchard's evolving role

07:53 Darnell Nurse's Defensive Struggles

12:54 Player potential and support systems

15:41 Adjusting to Defensive Roles in Hockey

17:02 Evaluating Oilers' Defensive Strategy

20:37 Discussing Oilers' offseason uncertainties

25:03 Ryan McDonough's trade to Lightning

27:59 Signing off and shoutouts

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!

Decagon

Ready to transform your customer support? Go to decagon.ai/LOCKEDONNHL to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.

 

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

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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)

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