Edmonton Oilers Players: Roster, Stats & Salary Guide

Few teams in the NHL command attention quite like the Edmonton Oilers. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, the roster blends generational talent with a gritty supporting cast. Whether you follow the money, the stats, or the legacy, this guide breaks down every key player profile, from salary cap hits to jersey numbers and the legends who came before.

Current Roster Size: 23 players · Highest Paid Player (AAV): Connor McDavid – $12.5M · All-Time Points Leader: Wayne Gretzky (1,669 points) · Canadian Players (2024-25): 15 out of 23 · Stanley Cup Championships: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)

Six key facts that define the Edmonton Oilers franchise for any new fan or analyst.

Who is the best player on the Edmonton Oilers?

Who is the greatest player in the NHL right now?

Hart Trophies: 3 · Art Ross Trophies: 5 · Conn Smythe Trophies: 1 · Rocket Richard Trophies: 1

Connor McDavid is almost universally considered the best current Oiler and a top NHL talent. His blend of explosive speed, elite puck handling, and vision places him in a class of his own. Since entering the league in 2015, McDavid has redefined what is possible on the ice, leading the league in scoring multiple times (Wikipedia (player encyclopedia)).

The implication: McDavid isn’t just the Oilers’ best player; he is the central economic and competitive engine of the franchise. His presence alone transforms the team’s Stanley Cup odds every season.

Who is the Oilers’ highest-paid player?

Who is the richest NHL player ever?

McDavid AAV: $12.5M · Draisaitl AAV: $8.5M · Nurse AAV: $9.25M

Connor McDavid’s AAV of $12.5 million is the highest on the Oilers and among the highest in the entire NHL. According to salary cap data from Daily Hive, his contract includes a total salary of $10.0 million for the 2024-25 season. Leon Draisaitl follows at $8.5 million, with Darnell Nurse carrying a $9.25 million cap hit (Daily Hive (Edmonton sports news)).

When discussing the richest NHL player ever, Wayne Gretzky stands alone. His combination of playing salary and massive endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Ford allowed him to accumulate a net worth far exceeding any modern player’s career earnings (Forbes (business and finance authority)).

The trade-off: While McDavid’s salary is justified by his production, it places immense pressure on GM Stan Bowman to find bargains in the middle of the lineup.

Who is the 40 year old on the Edmonton Oilers?

Which NHL player has autism?

Oldest Active Oiler (2024-25): Corey Perry (39) · Next Oldest: Derek Ryan (37)

As of the current season, the oldest active Oiler is Corey Perry, who is 39 years old. No player on the Edmonton Oilers active roster is exactly 40. Perry has carved out a role as a veteran bottom-six winger with a championship pedigree, bringing grit and experience to the lineup (Hockey-Reference (official stats database)).

Regarding the broader NHL conversation about autism, the most prominent player to publicly share his diagnosis is goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs. No current Edmonton Oilers player has made a similar public disclosure, though the league has become increasingly supportive of neurodiversity initiatives (The Athletic (in-depth sports journalism)).

What this clarifies: The rumor of a 40-year-old Oiler is a common misconception. The team has relied on older veterans like Perry for depth, but not at that specific age threshold.

How many Canadian players are on the Edmonton Oilers today?

What is the nationality breakdown of the Oilers roster?

• 15 Canadian
• 4 American
• 2 Swedish
• 1 Finnish
• 1 German

According to roster data from TSN and Elite Prospects, the Edmonton Oilers have 15 Canadian players on their 2024-25 roster, representing roughly 65% of the team. This strong Canadian core has been a hallmark of the franchise since its inception in the WHA (TSN (Canadian sports broadcaster)).

The pattern: The Oilers have always prioritized Canadian talent, particularly from Western Canada, which helps build a strong cultural identity and resilience in the grueling Western Conference.

What are the Oilers players’ stats and jersey numbers?

Edmonton Oilers player grades

A look at the top performers and their signature numbers for the 2024-25 season.

The catch: The modern Oilers are statistically dominant in the regular season, with McDavid’s #97 and Draisaitl’s #29 among the most popular jerseys in the NHL. Zach Hyman, wearing #18, posted a career-high 54 goals in 2023-24, while Evan Bouchard’s #2 jersey has become synonymous with offensive defense (ESPN (sports statistics)).

Historical jersey numbers: Wayne Gretzky’s #99 and Mark Messier’s #11 hang in the rafters, while Paul Coffey wore #7 during his dominant tenure. These numbers are now iconic among the Oilers faithful (Wikipedia (historical player list)).

Why this matters for fans: Jersey numbers tell the story of the franchise’s evolution. From the dynasty days of #99 to the McDavid era of #97, the digits change, but the standard remains.

Who are the most notable former Edmonton Oilers players?

Is Wayne Gretzky a smoker?

Hall of Famers: 5 · Retired Jerseys: 10 (#3, #4, #5, #7, #9, #11, #17, #27, #31, #99)

Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, and Grant Fuhr form the core of the 1980s dynasty. Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” holds the all-time NHL points record with 2,857. Messier is celebrated as one of the greatest leaders in sports history, leading the Oilers to four Cups and later winning with the Rangers (Hockey-Reference (official stats database)).

Regarding Gretzky’s personal life, he has been reportedly seen smoking at various public events, though he has never publicly confirmed a regular habit. This has been subject to much tabloid speculation over the years.

The catch: While McDavid and Draisaitl rival the production of the 80s stars, the one thing missing from their resume is a Stanley Cup victory, a feat the 80s dynasty achieved with regularity.

The Greats: Then and Now

Six players, one dynasty, and a modern core seeking its own legacy. Here’s how the eras compare.

The pattern: The modern Oilers are statistically dominant in the regular season, matching the 80s team in goal production. However, the ultimate measure — the Stanley Cup — remains the dividing line between these two great eras.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

A clear-eyed look at the confirmed realities and the lingering questions surrounding the team.

Inside the Oilers Locker Room: Expert Perspectives

Two voices, one team. Insights from the General Manager and a star teammate.

“Connor McDavid is the best player in the world, and he makes everyone around him better. His leadership has grown tremendously over the past few years.”

— Ken Holland, former Oilers General Manager (Sportsnet (Canadian sports media))

“He’s a great player, but what makes him special is his work ethic. He’s the first on the ice, last off. That sets the tone for our entire group.”

— Zach Hyman, Oilers winger, on Connor McDavid (TSN (Canadian sports broadcaster))

The Road Ahead for the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have successfully built around one of the most talented players in NHL history, Connor McDavid. For the management team, the window to win is now. The task is clear: surround their core with the right complementary pieces, including new additions like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, manage a tight salary cap, and capture a championship before McDavid’s prime passes. For GM Stan Bowman, the choice is simple: maximize the remaining years of a generational roster, or risk watching the league’s deepest core age out without another banner.

Related reading: Connor McDavid vs Wayne Gretzky: Stats, Contract & Debate

For a detailed breakdown of salaries, stats, and jersey numbers, see this comprehensive Oilers roster guide on Canadaledger.

Frequently asked questions