Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

David Tomasek, Andrew Mangiapane skates with Connor McDavid as Oilers hit the ice for training camp

Originally posted on Oilersnation | By Zach Laing | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 2:47 PM ET

Connor McDavid had a pair of fresh faces on his wings as the Edmonton Oilers hit the Rogers Place ice Thursday morning: David Tomasek and Andrew Mangiapane.

Both players joined the Oilers as free agents earlier this year, with Tomasek being signed to a one-year, $1.2-million contract out of Europe, while Mangiapane joined the team in free agency on a two-year, $3.6-milllion deal.

And while Mangiapane was expected to get a look alongside McDavid as training camp and the pre-season gets underway, Tomasek lining up alongside the captain is a surprise. With Zach Hyman absent from the skate as he continues to rehabilitate from his wrist injury suffered in last year’s playoffs, Tomasek is likely there as a placeholder.

Group one:
Mangiapane-McDavid-Tomášek⁰Henrique-RNH- Savioe⁰Jones-Philp-Lazar
Rem Pitlick-Marjala-Griffith⁰Lewandowski-Grubbe- Petrov

Ekholm-Bouchard⁰Stillman-Stecher⁰Leppanen-Regula⁰Akey

Skinner ⁰Pickard⁰
Hyman skating on his own as he continues to rehab.

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) September 18, 2025

The second line saw Ryan Nugent-Hopkins centring Adam Henrique and Matt Savoie, an interesting move that could highlight the Oilers’ desire to run the longest-tenured Oiler up the middle. On the third line was three players competing for a spot on the fourth line: Max Jones, Noah Philp and Curtis Lazar.

The fourth and fifth lines, meanwhile, featured players destined for the American Hockey League and in the case of David Lewandowski, a return to junior hockey.

Edmonton’s blue line for the first group saw Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard on the top pairing, AHL’er Riley Stillman and Troy Stecher on the second pairing, free agent signing Arto Leppanen and Alec Regula on the third, with 2023 second round pick Beau Akey as an extra. Akey, 20, is set to turn pro this season and will likely start the year with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

Stuart Skinner, who has come into training camp weighting 25 lbs. lighter than he did last year, and Calvin Pickard were the two goaltenders.

The Oilers kick off their pre-season Sunday with a split-squad game against the Calgary Flames.

This article will be updated as further groups skate on Thursday.

This article first appeared on Oilersnation and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: