Redefining Success: What Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers Teach Us About Winning and Life

Winning isn’t everything at least not in the way most hockey fans think about it. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis reflects on what truly defines success for players and teams in today’s NHL. From Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s chase for the Stanley Cup to the Edmonton Oilers’ roster development, we examine how progress can exist even without a championship. We also highlight growth stories for players like Evan Bouchard, Vasily Podkolzin, and Brett Kulak, and compare how organizations like the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens measure success in different stages of their rebuilds. This episode challenges the “championship or failure” narrative and asks a bigger question: What do we really value in hockey? 0:00 Intro: The state of sports media today 5:47 Stephen A. Smith and the contentification of journalism 17:39 Hockey as a weak link sport 23:46 Finding meaning in the attempt, not just winning 28:50 Outro: Internship and affiliation agreements Redefining Success: What Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers Teach Us About Winning and Life Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.