BREAKING: NHL analyst disappointed in Oilers’ free agency moves taking Connor McDavid’s team a step backwards…

🧊 “Losers of NHL free agency” — Widespread pundit backlash

Commentators from the Edmonton Journal and USA Today panned Edmonton’s decisions:

• Mike Brehm (USA Today) praised the Zach Hyman deal but questioned adding aging defenders like Cody Ceci and veteran Mike Smith. Matt Larkin of The Hockey News said:
  

  “I don’t know if this team is better. I don’t believe that they are but I could be wrong.”

• Scott Burnside (The Athletic) gave the overall class a 4.5/10, cautioning that the blue-line may be regressing — that “fans in Edmonton will turn on” players like Ceci if things don’t improve .
• Josh Wegman (The Score) slammed the focus on short-term role players, neglecting core issues like goaltending and youth. He called the GM’s reputation “taking a turn for the worse” .
• Lyle Fitzsimmons (Bleacher Report) lamented trading young assets while bringing in veterans who may ultimately flourish elsewhere.

Summary: While the Hyman signing was praised, the veteran-heavy defensive and goaltending moves drew ire. Overall, analysts view Edmonton’s free-agent strategy as reactive, lacking boldness.

🔥 Underlying concerns fueling criticism

• Defense & goaltending remain shaky: Observers say depth moves didn’t address core issues, and the Smith/Ceci signings may be bandaids rather than upgrades.
• McDavid needs support: Critics argue Edmonton risks burning out its superstar by surrounding him with stopgap pieces—not long-term winners .
• Fan frustration boiling over: Reddit posts echo the sentiment that the organization isn’t ‘going all-in’, which could eventually push McDavid to consider other options .

🔮 What it means for Oilers & McDavid

• Short-term hope, long-term risk: Tossing veterans like Hyman and Ceci may help McDavid now but aren’t sustainable solutions.
• Adding salt to the wound: If this class fails to elevate depth and defense, it will intensify pressure on the GM and front office.
• High stakes for McDavid: Fans know this might be the offseason game-changer—or the one that pushes McDavid to test the market in 2026.