With new contracts come new expectations. For three Edmonton Oilers, this summer brought (or will bring) big money and in exchange, the Oilers should have an ask. 

When the ink dries on a massive NHL contract, the pressure doesn’t just stay on the team’s salary cap — it shifts squarely onto the player. For the Oilers, three stars are now in that spotlight. Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic have each secured big-money deals that speak to their value. Connor McDavid is about to. That will raise expectations.

With the franchise chasing another deep playoff run, each will be counted on to not only maintain their production but to add new layers to their game. Here’s where each of them can elevate as their new contracts kick in.

Connor McDavid Needs to Shoot More

Even the best player in the game isn't perfect. 

A recent X post from @Sports1440 shares a clip from The Jason Gregor Show discussing the Edmonton Oilers’ power play strategy. Gregor argues Connor McDavid should shoot more, stressing that increasing shot attempts per minute — not just total shots — is key.

Under newly-hired power play coach Paul McFarland, if he could make only one change, upping McDavid's shot totals would be it. As Gregor notes, this isn't about bashing McDavid, but instead maximizing his efficiency, as Edmonton looks to climb the Western Conference standings after last season’s power play struggles.

McDavid can be a 60-goal guy. He doesn't have to be to play his best hockey, but the 26 goals he scored last season are concerning. It's not enough given how deadly he can be as a shooter and how much his choosing to shoot creates opportunities for others. 

Evan Bouchard Needs to Remove the 10-Bell Turnovers

Evan Bouchard’s emergence as one of the NHL’s top offensive defensemen in the NHL is going into the history books. His playoff contributions are otherworldly and that's one of the main reasons he inked a new four-year, $10.5 million per season contract.

There is no denying he has elite vision, passing skills, a howitzer of a shot and can quarterback a power play like few others.  What he needs to do now is build greater consistency.

At his best, Bouchard can control the pace of play and be a difference-maker every night. At worst, he has defensive lapses or total brain cramps that lead to alarming turnovers and goals against. A steadier performance from him all season is crucial.

Maintaining focus and impact over the full 82 games — and into the playoffs — could elevate him into true Norris Trophy contention. 

To put it another way, one could argue the Oilers are paying about $9 million per season for everything Bouchard already does. The extra $1.5 million is to convince him to finally shake his bad habits. 

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Trent Frederic Needs to Hit and Score

The more shocking deal of the off-season was Trent Frederic's eight-year, $3.9 million per season extension in Edmonton. There are more than a few fans and analysts having trouble wrapping their head around that one. 

The Oilers like this player a lot. They believe Frederic can bring far more than what he showed after arriving at the trade deadline and in the playoffs. He was not fully recovered from his injuries and with a clean bill of health and a new commitment in hand, there is an expectation that the forward will take a giant step forward. That's essential for this deal not to look like a monumental mistake. 

What the Oilers need is twofold: hitting and depth scoring. Frederic is never going to be Evander Kane, but the idea is that he's got shades of that kind of player in him. He needs to be heavy on the forecheck, be willing to hit and fight, and do all of that while scoring at least 15-20 goals per season. 

Are These Asks from the Oilers Fair?

If the Oilers get what they’re asking for from all three, these contracts will look like smart, calculated bets rather than risky commitments or favors without a fair return.

McDavid finding his trigger more often, Bouchard eliminating costly turnovers, and Frederic delivering physical, goal-scoring depth could be the difference between another “close but not quite” run and finally breaking through to win it all.

Big money brings big responsibility — and for a team built to contend right now, the margin for error is razor-thin. These improvements aren’t just wish-list items; they’re the expectations that will define Edmonton’s season and, potentially, its championship hopes.

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