5 ex-Edmonton Oilers players still alive in Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers may be out of the Stanley Cup, but there is a smattering of former players still fighting for the Stanley Cup.
It’s an unusual feeling for Oilers fans to be sitting on the sidelines so early. Over the past two seasons, it’s been Edmonton who has found a way to be the last team eliminated from the playoffs, and now they find themselves watching other teams in the second round.
For some Oilers fans, they may just tune out the rest of the postseason as they wait for the NHL offseason to officially commence. However, others will be shifting to find a new team to root for over the next couple of weeks.
The easy choice would be to jump on the Montreal Canadiens bandwagon due to them being the last Canadian team, but there is another approach Oilers fans could take. They could instead pick out some former Edmonton players who are still competing for the ultimate prize.
As of the second round, there are a total of five former Oilers players still playing. Let’s take a look at who they are…
1. Taylor Hall, Carolina Hurricanes
Playoff stats: 3 G, 6A, 9 PTS, 6 GP
The former Oilers first-overall pick has been lighting up the playoffs with the Carolina Hurricanes this year.
Though Taylor Hall has bounced around the league in recent years, he seems to be fitting in just fine with the Hurricanes. He leads the team in playoff scoring so far and is enjoying a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Longtime fans will likely have a soft spot for Hall as he looks for his first Stanley Cup.
2. Ryan McLeod, Buffalo Sabres
Playoff stats: 0G, 1A, 1 PTS, 6 GP
The Oilers’ decision to move on from Ryan McLeod after the 2024 Stanley Cup Final run has been a little controversial.
Edmonton got a top prospect in Matt Savoie in return, but McLeod has blossomed into a 50-point man with the Sabres over the last two seasons. This is his first taste of postseason hockey in Buffalo, and so far, it’s been a tad mediocre.
Still, McLeod had some devoted fans in Edmonton who are sure to be rooting for him.
3. Sam Carrick, Buffalo Sabres
Playoff stats: 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, 0 GP
Sam Carrick is a more obscure pick, but he did appear in 10 playoff games with the Oilers back in 2024.
He’s moved on to the Sabres this season, but injuries have prevented him from playing any postseason games as of yet. It’s expected that he will make his playoff debut with Buffalo sometime in their second-round series against the Canadiens.
4. Brett Kulak, Colorado Avalanche
Playoff stats: 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS, 6 GP
Brett Kulak went from one Western Conference Stanley Cup contender to another this season.
The veteran defenceman was flipped to the Colorado Avalanche this past season from the Pittsburgh Penguins. And he’s been a pretty solid addition to a powerhouse that could win it all this season.
He was a staple on the Edmonton blueline for the past four and a half seasons and was a member of both Stanley Cup Final runs. Plenty will be hoping he can finally lift the Cup on his third try.
5. Jeff Petry, Minnesota Wild
Playoff stats: 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, 2 GP
The oldest former Oilers player still vying for Stanley Cup glory is Jeff Petry with the Minnesota Wild.
At 38 years old, this may be Petry’s last chance at lifting the Stanley Cup after failing to do so with the Oilers, Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, and Florida Panthers. His impacts haven’t been great for the Wild, with just two games under his belt this playoff run.
The Wild are currently in a 2-0 hole against the Avalanche, meaning Petry will have his work cut out for him.