Time To Remove Oilers As Canada's Best Chance For a Stanley Cup?

I recently wrote an article for the main page of The Hockey News in which I looked at all seven Canadian teams and ranked them by who had the best chance to bring a Stanley Cup back home to Canada. Call it bias or a logical argument that the Edmonton Oilers still have the best shot; several fans called me out for ranking Edmonton at the top, followed closely by the Montreal Canadiens.

Most seemed to agree it was a two-horse race, but did I get the order backward?

In the piece I wrote the following about the Canadiens:

Montreal could certainly be the top Canadian team this season. They’ve done almost everything right, and their run in 2025-26 has them pegged as a team of the future. They went from a rebuilding team just a few years ago to the NHL’s youngest conference finalist in 33 years.

–

I noted that the pieces they have under team-friendly contracts are impressive. Lane Hutson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov make them a team to contend with. Jakub Dobes had a breakout season as well.

Here is what I said about the Oilers:

Even though they took a step backward in 2025-26, no Canadian team is closer to the mountaintop than the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers still have two of the best players in the world. They’ve got an excellent scoring defenseman, some solid depth, and they made changes this summer that should improve the team.

–

I did suggest that Mike Babcock as their new head coach was a wildcard added to their season.

Several of the comments suggested I wasn’t giving Montreal enough credit for how good they are, while also overvaluing an Oilers team who got knocked out in the first round and is now one year older.

Comments included: “…the Canadiens are closer to Cup contention than the fading Oilers. Montreal is more balanced team in offense (Habs can at least count on two lines not two players) and Montreal at least has better defense. Montreal goaltending is above average for now but for Edmonton its a liability.”

Another wrote, “Edmonton ahead of Montreal is a definite head-scratcher, as Montreal is an ascending team and the Oilers went the other direction. The Oilers still have McDavid and Draisaitl, but what major move was made to move the needle ?”

Another added, “No disrespect to the Oilers, but their window is closing fast. Habs were a top team in the toughest division and went further against other favored top teams. Oilers had a mid season in a mid division and got bounced first round. None of this was a fluke.”

There were some other comments in there not worth addressing, but the point was clear.

There are many who think the Canadiens are progressing to the point where they’re the better Canadian team and the Oilers are still good, but not the best.

Oilers GM Drops Hint on Next Roster Move — And Babcock Could Be the Deciding Factor

Oilers GM Drops Hint on Next Roster Move — And Babcock Could Be the Deciding FactorStan Bowman believes he knows what he wants to add during the season, but admitted Mike Babcock’s new system could determine the team’s next move.

After considering the takes and revisiting my ranking, I’m still bullish on the idea that the Oilers sit atop the list of Canadian teams. I’ll admit it’s close, but there are a few reasons I think this.

First, injuries were a huge factor for the Oilers during the 2025-26 playoffs. It’s going to sound like an excuse, but Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and others weren’t 100 percent. McDavid was particularly affected by an issue early in the series with Anaheim and had these players been healthy, it’s hard to know where the Oilers would have finished.

Second, the series between Carolina and Montreal opened my eyes a bit regarding how far the Canadiens might still need to go. That series was as lopsided as a series can be, with Montreal failing to pivot when that play shifted. One of the more elite offensive teams couldn’t score, and they were badly outshot. The Hurricanes were relentless and eventually won the Stanley Cup, but it was a bit of a wake-up call for the Canadiens.

Third, there’s a different mentality for the Oilers and Canadiens that shouldn’t be overlooked. Frankly, it’s a sense of desperation on the part of the Oilers that might be the difference-maker this season.

Fans argued that Edmonton’s window is closing. I don’t totally agree, but I will admit that the core is getting older. What matters is how motivated that core is because they’ve tried everything, gotten so close, and they know that there’s only so much time left with this particular group. They’ve already lost Darnell Nurse. They don’t want to lose anyone else before they win it all. Because of this desperation, they went out on a limb and hired Babcock. There’s no more coasting through the regular season for this team.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens have years to be good, and while they’re driven, they may not be driven in the same way the Oilers are.

To me, the two teams are close. The Canadiens are excellent and only getting better. The Oilers are still good, and I believe they got better during the summer. Last season was a blip that they’re planning to rectify.

Will the win the Stanley Cup? It’s going to be a tough challenge. But, are they Canada’s best shot at it? I believe they are, even if only by a slim margin.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

Read the full article here