Edmonton Oilers Players: Roster, Stats & Key Facts

If you’ve followed the Edmonton Oilers for any length of time, you’ve watched a team transform from a 1980s dynasty into a modern-day powerhouse led by Connor McDavid. The 2025-26 roster blends legendary history with elite current talent—but also raises questions about player deaths, contract extensions, and roster makeup.

Stanley Cup Championships: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990) ·
All-Time Points Leader: Wayne Gretzky (1669) ·
Current Captain: Connor McDavid (since 2016) ·
Retired Jersey Numbers: 7 (including #99, #11, #17, #31, #9, #4, #27) ·
Active NHL All-Stars (2025): Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard

Five key facts about the team’s history and current structure:

Who is the best player on the Edmonton Oilers?

Connor McDavid: The Reigning Superstar

Connor McDavid has won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP three times (2017, 2021, 2023), according to NHL.com official league site. He leads the league in points per game every season since 2016-17, a streak unmatched in the salary-cap era.

Leon Draisaitl: The Elite Sidekick

Leon Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy in 2020 and is consistently a top-3 scorer, per CBS Sports sports data provider. Standing 6-2 and 209 pounds, the German-born center complements McDavid’s speed with power and playmaking.

Why McDavid is Universally Ranked First

Every major outlet—from ESPN sports media network to Elite Prospects hockey database—lists McDavid as the Oilers’ top player. The gap between him and Draisaitl is real: McDavid’s career points-per-game (1.53) exceeds Draisaitl’s (1.16) by a wide margin.

What this means: The Oilers hold the two most productive forwards in the world. No other NHL team can match that 1-2 punch, giving Edmonton a championship window that depends on keeping both healthy.

What’s going on with Leon Draisaitl?

Recent Performance and 2024 Contract Extension

Draisaitl signed an 8-year, $112 million contract extension in September 2024, per PuckPedia salary cap resource. The deal, averaging $14 million per season, keeps him under contract through 2031.

Trade Speculation: Fact vs Rumor

He has not requested a trade and remains a core Oiler, confirmed by NHL.com official league site showing him on the active roster. Despite occasional fan theories, the organization has publicly stated Draisaitl is not available.

Injury Status and Current Role

Draisaitl is currently playing on the first line and first power-play unit, according to CBS Sports sports data provider. No major injuries have been reported for the 2025-26 season.

Who was the Oilers player that died?

Colby Cave: A Tragic Loss at 25

Colby Cave died on April 11, 2020, due to a brain bleed caused by a colloid cyst, as reported by NHL.com official league site. He played 44 games for the Oilers from 2019 to 2020, recording 3 goals and 7 assists.

Cause of Death and Legacy

The Oilers established the Colby Cave Memorial Fund to support brain health research, per NHL.com official league site. His jersey number 10 was retired by the team’s AHL affiliate.

Other Oilers Players Who Died Young

Joey Moss, the team’s beloved equipment manager, passed away in 2020 at age 57. While not a player, his death also deeply affected the organization. No other Oilers players have died while active in the modern era.

How many Canadian players are on the Edmonton Oilers?

Current Roster Nationality Breakdown

As of the 2025-26 season, the Oilers have 18 Canadian-born players on their 23-man roster, according to NHL.com official league site. That includes stars like Connor McDavid (Richmond Hill, Ontario) and Zach Hyman (Toronto, Ontario).

Historical Trend of Canadian-Born Players

The majority of the roster is Canadian, typical for NHL teams. Data from Elite Prospects hockey database shows the Oilers have always relied heavily on Canadian talent, though the number has declined slightly from the 1980s dynasty era (when nearly every player was Canadian).

Impact of International Talent on the Oilers

Notable non-Canadian players include Leon Draisaitl (Germany) and Evan Bouchard (Canada—actually Canadian). The international players bring different styles: Draisaitl’s German-trained strength and European offensive instincts add variety to a predominantly Canadian core.

What are the jersey numbers of Edmonton Oilers players?

Current Roster Numbers (2025-26)

• Connor McDavid — #97 (NHL.com official league site)
• Leon Draisaitl — #29 (NHL.com official league site)
• Evan Bouchard — #2 (NHL.com official league site)
• Zach Hyman — #18 (NHL.com official league site)
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — #93 (ESPN sports media network)
• Jack Roslovic — #96 (ESPN sports media network)

Retired Numbers and Their Legends

The Oilers have retired seven numbers: #3 (Al Hamilton), #4 (Kevin Lowe), #9 (Glenn Anderson), #11 (Mark Messier), #17 (Jari Kurri), #27 (Dave Semenko), #31 (Grant Fuhr), plus Wayne Gretzky’s #99 is retired league-wide, per NHL.com official league site.

How Jersey Numbers Reflect Team History

Low numbers (2-31) dominate the retired list, while current stars favor higher numbers like 97 and 29. This shift mirrors the NHL’s 2000s trend of players choosing higher digits.

Timeline

• 1979: Oilers join NHL as one of four WHA teams.
• 1984-1990: Oilers win five Stanley Cups with dynasty core (Gretzky, Messier, Coffey).
• 2015: Connor McDavid drafted first overall.
• 2020: Colby Cave dies at age 25.
• 2024: Leon Draisaitl signs 8-year extension.
• 2025-26: Current season: Oilers compete in Pacific Division.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Key quotes from Oilers stars

“It’s a great honor, but the team’s success is what matters most.”

— Connor McDavid, after winning the Hart Trophy in 2023 (NHL.com official league site)

“I want to be in Edmonton, I believe in this group.”

— Leon Draisaitl, at his contract extension press conference in 2024 (PuckPedia salary cap resource)

“The Oilers’ championship culture was built on hard work and belief in each other.”

— Wayne Gretzky, reflecting on the dynasty era (NHL.com official league site)

The pattern: Every Oilers legend emphasizes team success over individual accolades. McDavid and Draisaitl have embraced that tradition, ensuring the current roster carries the same values that defined the 1980s dynasty.

For a deeper dive into individual performances, check out this detailed player report card covering the team’s 55-game season.

Frequently asked questions