{"id":24369,"date":"2025-06-29T11:28:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T11:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/24369\/"},"modified":"2025-06-29T11:28:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T11:28:08","slug":"we-can-kiss-mcdavid-goodbye-oilers-fans-outraged-as-first-2025-draft-pick-fails-to-address-blatant-weakness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/24369\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We Can Kiss McDavid Goodbye\u2019 \u2013 Oilers Fans Outraged As First 2025 Draft Pick Fails To Address Blatant Weakness"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Edmonton Oilers entered the 2025 NHL<\/a> Draft with one glaring need: goaltending.<\/p>\n

After Stuart Skinner\u2019s struggles helped the Florida Panthers capture their second consecutive Stanley Cup with a 4-2 series victory, fans expected the organization to address its most vulnerable position. Instead, the Oilers\u2019 first pick at No. 83 overall left their fan base bewildered and angry.<\/p>\n

Edmonton Oilers Suffer Fan Backlash Over Picking of Forward<\/p>\n

The Oilers selected Tommy Lafreniere, a forward from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, with the 83rd overall pick. The decision immediately sparked outrage<\/a> among fans who watched their team\u2019s goaltending woes cost them another championship opportunity just 11 days earlier.<\/p>\n

\n

With the 83rd-overall pick, the #Oilers<\/a> have selected forward Tommy Lafreniere from @blazerhockey<\/a> of @TheWHL<\/a>! #NHLDraft<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Tumns90V8N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Throughout the Stanley Cup Finals, both Skinner and Calvin Pickard struggled with lateral movement, allowing Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and other Panthers forwards to exploit their weaknesses repeatedly. Many analysts projected the Oilers would target goaltending prospects like Pyotr Andreyanov or Aleksei Medvedev with their first selection.<\/p>\n

Cap Constraints Fuel Fan Frustration<\/p>\n

The selection of Lafreniere triggered immediate criticism on social media, with fans questioning both the pick and the organization\u2019s future direction.<\/p>\n

One frustrated fan posted<\/a>, \u201cPoor kid doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s walking into. Edmonton\u2019s cap is so messed up, they\u2019ll probably have to trade him in a Skinner salary dump before he even gets to training camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

The salary cap concerns are legitimate. The Oilers currently have just $12.35 million in cap space, limiting their ability to address roster deficiencies through free agency or trades.<\/p>\n

Connor McDavid\u2019s future with the organization also became a talking point among disappointed fans. \u201cA player that\u2019ll never play a game for us. Sure glad we didn\u2019t make a move for a fkn goalie. Guess we can kiss McDavid goodbye,\u201d one fan wrote<\/a>. The superstar center has previously emphasized that winning championships remains his primary goal.<\/p>\n

\n

A player that\u2019ll never play a game for us. Sure glad we didn\u2019t make a move for a fkn goalie. Guess we can kiss McDavid goodbye<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u039bNCI\u039eNT\u531a\u3125\u3116\u3129\u15ea (@Ancient_Cloud) June 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The reality of returning with the same goaltending tandem prompted another pointed response. \u201cY\u2019all running it back with Skinner and Pickard, huh?\u201d a fan questioned<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sarcasm dripped from another fan\u2019s post<\/a>: \u201cCan he play between the pipes? And post a consistent .900 svp??\u201d The comment underscored the glaring disconnect between the team\u2019s most pressing need and its draft strategy.<\/p>\n

\n

Can he play between the pipes? And post a consistent .900 svp??<\/p>\n

\u2014 Brady\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@BUrbanovich) June 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Not all reactions focused solely on positional needs. Some fans evaluated Lafreniere\u2019s performance with Kamloops, where he posted 24 goals and 56 points in 68 games. However, his minus-33 rating raised concerns. \u201cPlus\/minus is not great for the kid (-33 in 68gp last year). Turnovers are what he needs to improve on. Has offensive upside,\u201d one observer noted. Others suggested the Oilers should have selected Adam Benak instead.<\/p>\n

The overwhelming consensus among the fanbase remains clear: choosing a forward over a goaltender represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the team\u2019s championship window and its most critical weakness.<\/p>\n

As Edmonton prepares for another season with championship aspirations, the organization\u2019s failure to address its goaltending situation through the draft has only intensified pressure to find solutions elsewhere.<\/p>\n