The 2026 IIHF World Championship preliminary rounds ended with high-stakes wins: USA crushed Austria 4-1 to clinch playoff spot, Sweden edged Slovakia 4-2 in a thriller, and Canada dominated Czechia 3-2 to seal top group spot with a perfect 6-1 record. Quarterfinal matchups are set — USA vs Canada (a fiery rematch), Sweden vs Switzerland (undefeated hosts), Norway vs Latvia, and Finland vs Czechia. Playoff action kicks off Thursday — expect fireworks as the best teams battle for gold.

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Five years ago, the Oilers made a draft gamble that’s now paying off in surprising ways: trading their 20th pick for Wallstedt, Bourgault, and a fourth-round pick that became the engine for a trio of promising assets. Bourgault’s stalled development led to a trade that netted Järventie and a pick later flipped for Podkolzin—a once-struggling high draft pick now showing playoff potential. Then came the cap move: sending Evander Kane to Vancouver, freeing up funds to use that same pick on David Lewandowski, a breakout German forward. What started as a risky draft day play has blossomed into a smart, multi-layered rebuild, turning one pick into a goalie, a top-six forward, and a rising star.

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Jason Dickinson’s free agency could be a make-or-break moment for the Oilers, as he eyes a potential $5M+ contract — a jump from his current $4.25M deal. Acquired at the trade deadline for a conditional pick and Mangiapane, Dickinson’s value lies in his elite defensive play and penalty-killing, not offense — especially highlighted in the playoffs. With centers like Coyle and Malkin commanding big money, the Oilers face a tough choice: pay top dollar to retain him, or find a cheaper, equally capable alternative. With cap space but other priorities, this decision could reshape their roster strategy for the next season.

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