Forward depth predictions for the 2025–26 Edmonton Oilers

With training camp already on the horizon, speculations can finally become reality. The Edmonton Oilers have continued to reshape themselves under Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as the regime of Stan Bowman and president Jeff Jackson unfolds. An offseason of speculation becomes reality, and so the presumptive depth chart will be thrown into chaos.

Let’s take a look at the Oilers forwards to see how things might shake out.

Players that are locks

Nugent-Hopkins—McDavid—Hyman
Podkolzin—Draisaitl—Mangiapane
Frederic—Henrique—??
Janmark—??—??

When healthy, the Oilers have some certainty within this group. Obviously McDavid and Draisaitl power everything, and not enough can be said for their utter dominance as Oilers so far.

Beyond them the Oilers have some grit and muscle on each line. Zach Hyman, Vasily Podkolzin, and Trent Frederic should be able to assure a physically imposing forward on each of the top three lines. To an extent Mattias Janmark can be counted on for a hard game on the fourth line and on the penalty kill.

Throw in the playmaking of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the two way pedigree of Adam Henrique and there is a lot to work with. The fact that both can play centre gives the Oilers a lot of flexibility down the middle, even before considering the potential of Frederic finding a home at centre. Andrew Mangiapane should be a reliable middle-six contributor on the wing.

In all the supporting cast is solid, but there are several key players who might begin to decline with age. Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins are main concerns here, but within the context of this season they should be willing and able contributors at a cap value.

Speculative support for the roster

Savoie, Howard, Tomasek

Leading the charge here is Matthew Savoie, who is as close to NHL ready as a rookie can be. Drafted high for his offensive skills, Savoie proved he can carry his talent to the pros last season. On top of this Savoie was able to hold down a meaningful defensive role, making him a near lock for this roster.

Isaac Howard is often thought of in the same breath, if not higher than Savoie. Perhaps it is the symptom of being a more recent addition, or the shine of a Hobey Baker win last season. Howard has yet to prove himself a scorer at the professional level, and seems to have less dimension to his game than Savoie. In all Sam O’Reilly might prove to be more functional in the NHL, though the Oilers bet on immediacy and upside is noted.

Finally, reigning SHL MVP David Tomasek joins the Oilers. The 29-year-old rookie is a bit of a rare circumstance, though clearly there is a high level of offensive skill. Tomasek might be able to bolster the Oilers middle-six wingers, and his age and experience might help him beat out Howard or Savoie early in camp. His contract is able to be buried in the AHL, so there is little risk in the experiment.

It would be a lot to ask all three forwards to play up to their best case scenario this season, but if one is able to hold down a middle-six winger spot the Oilers will be quite well off. Savoie is the best bet, as he seems a reasonable fit alongside Draisaitl and Podkolzin, or Frederic and Henrique.

Role players to add

Kapanen, Lazar, Philp, Jones, Hamblin

The Oilers have a few players who could comfortably fill out the bottom of the roster. Kasperi Kapanen brings a lot of speed, and has been more willing to play an energetic checking role in the wisdom of age. Curtis Lazar has some positional versatility, and could fill a penalty killing role.

Noah Philp is intriguing, a big right shot centre who plays both special teams in the AHL. With his ability as a centre Philp could force his way into a regular role, and perhaps even push an aging Henrique for minutes. On an interesting career path, Philp might be able to channel Derek Ryan in going from University of Alberta Golden Bear to unlikely NHL regular.

Max Jones has some size to work with, and can play a power forward game. That said he was not able to earn much icetime with the Oilers. He might represent a buoy on this depth chart, able to fill in with a power forward NHL frame under dire circumstances. James Hamblin does not have a salient NHL level skill, and might mirror Jones as a buoy for two-way forwards.

Young call ups

Hutson, Samanski, Jarventie, Marjala

The Oilers seem to have made efforts to rearrange their youth to be ready for this season. Most of their AHL forwards are 22 or 23, and could be able to fight for an NHL role over the next season or two.

Quinn Hutson and Viljami Marjala are skilled playmakers that are a bit smaller. Especially with Savoie and Howard in front of them, it will be an uphill battle for them to become NHL regulars. Still, there is a lot to like, and they should help the Bakersfield Condors be a strong team. Marjala has looked quite good in rookie camp, and is the youngest of the group. Both will have to bring more than puck skills to earn a roster spot, though.

Roby Jarventie is bigger, but also quite skilled. He has a lot of NHL traits, size, speed, and skill. That said, his injury history has stalled his development, and his biggest doubters might point to an inefficiency in leveraging his talents. Josh Samanski has a power forward game as well, and the thinking might be that his production can carry over from league to league. His role as a centre is useful as well. Both Jarventie and Samanski will start by trying to beat Jones out of his spot.

Developing into NHLers

Grubbe, Clattenburg, Petrov, Stonehouse, Stefan

This group of players is very unlikely to factor into NHL discussion this season. There is still a path to bigger roles in the future, but the road is a bit longer at this point. Of the group, Jayden Grubbe might have the clearest path to NHL relevance. Being a right shot centre certainly helps, as does his size, and his role as a captain in the WHL. It is unlikely that his hands will ever score him into an NHL role, but his mind and his legs being ready might make him an interesting defensive option.

Connor Clattenburg and Brady Stonehouse will have to embrace energy roles. There is certainly some skill, or semblance of a power forward game. Still, both will have to fight and scratch and claw, harnessing a relentless energy to get there. If either can get into an NHL game they will do so as fan favourites.

The equation is a bit different for Matvey Petrov. The talented OHL scorer has found it difficult to discover production at the professional level. Without discovering his scoring touch in an explosive way there is little chance that he will be able to earn any NHL consideration.

Putting it all together

Nugent-Hopkins—McDavid—Hyman
Podkolzin—Draisaitl—Savoie
Frederic—Henrique—Mangiapane
Janmark—Lazar—Kapanen
Howard—Tomasek

Hamblin—Philp—Hutson
Jones—Marjala—Jarventie
Clattenburg—Samanski—Stefan
Stonehouse—Grubbe—Petrov

With Hyman expected to miss the start of the season, the Oilers will have an opening. Philp would seem to reinforce the greatest area of need, and might be able to out duel Lazar outright. Wingers will get a look alongside McDavid, and those who can play the net front might get a closer look.

Meanwhile, Podkolzin seems a lock alongside Draisaitl, but their wing is open. Mangiapane and Savoie might have the inside track, but Howard and Tomasek will have chances as well. In the end Kapanen might find his way onto this line at points as well. The opportunities for skill players might give life for one of Hutson or Marjala to make a legitimate push.