This August, Oilersnation will ask one question about every Edmonton Oilers player projected to be on the 2026-27 roster in preparation for the upcoming season. From Connor McDavid to Mattias Janmark, let’s ask some questions. 

On Canada Day, the Edmonton Oilers made significant changes to their back-end. They were able to trade Darnell Nurse’s entire cap hit of $9.25 million and even got positive value for him, acquiring Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp for the long-time Oiler defenceman.

Shortly after, the Oilers found his replacement, signing Ryan Shea to a five-year deal worth $20 million, at an annual cap hit of $4 million. Shea is coming off a strong season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but that raises the question: 

Was the left-shot defenceman’s breakout season the norm from now on, or was he on a PDO heater? Let’s find out in today’s edition of 31 Oilers Questions.

Ryan Shea’s 2025-26: Is it the norm or a PDO heater?

Shea had a breakout season in 2025-26.

Drafted 121st overall in the 2015 NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, the Milton, Mass., product spent four seasons at Northeastern University, then another three seasons in the AHL before making his debut with the Penguins in 2023-24, his third organization.

Even then, he didn’t play more than half a season at the NHL level until last season. In 2023-24, he scored a goal in 31 games, while playing 23 AHL games. While he didn’t play an AHL game in 2024-25, he........

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