3 questions facing Edmonton Oilers

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Edmonton Oilers.

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1. What will Connor Brown look like after missing most of last season with a knee injury?

Brown tore the ACL in his right knee in just his fourth game with the Washington Capitals after being acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on July 13, 2022. Despite that, Connor McDavid thought his friend and former juniors teammate would be a "perfect addition" for the Oilers, so the 29-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Edmonton on July 1.

"I'm really excited about it," said McDavid, the Oilers captain. "I think he's a great addition for our group. I think he fits in perfectly in the room, on the ice, all that type of stuff."

Brown's NHL career high in points is 43 (set with the Senators in 2019-20) and his career high in goals in 21 (with Ottawa in 2020-21), but if he gets the opportunity to play right wing on the top line with McDavid this season, there's a chance he could break those numbers.

2. Will Jack Campbell bounce back this season?

Campbell struggled last season after signing a five-year, $25 million contract with the Oilers on July 13, 2022, setting NHL career worsts in goals-against average (3.41) and save percentage (.888) and losing the No. 1 spot to rookie Stuart Skinner. Campbell did respond and play well in four relief appearances during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it was not enough to warrant a switch against either the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference First Round or Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.

With four years remaining on his contract, Edmonton is hoping Campbell can regain the form he had with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He went 51-14-9 with a 2.50 GAA, .916 save percentage and seven shutouts with Toronto from 2020-22.

3. How much better offensively can Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl be this season?

McDavid won the Hart Trophy, voted as the NHL's most valuable player, for the third time in his career after he had 153 points (64 goals, 89 assists) in 82 games last season, the most since Mario Lemieux had 161 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96. Draisaitl, meanwhile, set NHL career highs in assists (76) and points (128) and also scored at least 50 goals for the third time in the NHL.

"Those guys, they're not satisfied with getting to the semis or the finals, they want to win," said Jeff Jackson, who was hired as Edmonton's CEO of hockey operations Aug. 3.