The Edmonton Oilers are getting new jerseys next season and the color will change

That's exciting news - it's also the least of Stan Bowman's problems right now.

Industry insider posted to X on Wednesday that the NHL and Fanatics are set to release city edition-style jerseys league-wide next season, with the Edmonton Oilers confirmed among the teams receiving an all-black look.

The Calgary Flames will also be getting a modification to their jersey next season.

The post reached nearly 285,000 views within hours of going live.

The program is internally labeled the NHL "HTR" jersey program, believed to stand for "Hometown Remix."

Fanatics has filed a trademark for that exact phrase, and an Oilers insider confirmed a league-wide alternate program was in the works months before this leak.

The Edmonton Oilers have never worn black in 47 years of NHL play. Royal blue, burnt orange, and white have defined the franchise since the WHA days.

Making black the centerpiece of a new alternate isn't a nod to history. It's a Fanatics revenue decision, the same logic that has driven every league-wide jersey program since Reverse Retro.

The Oilers went 41-30-11 in the regular season, then lost to the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.

Connor McDavid posted 138 points in 82 games.

Draisaitl added 97 points in 65 games. The jersey didn't fail them - the postseason did.

Bowman has real decisions to make this summer around goaltending depth and roster construction.

A new alternate uniform answers exactly none of them.

Edmonton fans celebrating a black jersey is understandable - it's something fresh to grab onto after a painful spring exit.

It just isn't proof the organization is moving in the right direction where it counts.