Oilers’ Early Injuries Create Opportunity and Healthy Competition

Jarry should receive the first opportunity to establish himself as Edmonton’s starter, but his performance after arriving from Pittsburgh raises legitimate concerns. He finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-9-3 record, a 3.32 goals-against average and an .882 save percentage across 33 appearances. However, his numbers with the Oilers were significantly worse, as he went 9-6-2 with a 3.86 GAA and an .857 save percentage in 19 games.

Those results make training camp especially important for Jarry. Edmonton needs him to rediscover the form he showed before the trade, when he posted a 9-3-1 record, a 2.66 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 14 appearances with Pittsburgh.

Levi now has a clearer opportunity to push for meaningful NHL starts. The 24-year-old was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on July 1 and possesses considerable upside. If Jarry continues to struggle, a strong camp from Levi could make Edmonton’s goaltending competition far more open than originally anticipated.

Howard Has a Clearer Path to the Top Six

Savoie’s absence is significant because he was expected to compete for a permanent top-six role. He spent time alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman last season and appeared positioned to receive another major opportunity.

However, the injury creates more room for Isaac Howard. The former Hobey Baker Award winner should receive an extended audition alongside Edmonton’s skilled forwards and could also see additional power-play minutes. Instead of competing directly with Savoie for offensive opportunities, Howard can use camp to establish himself as an everyday top-six winger.

Oilers’ Right-Side Competition Is Wide Open

The situation also gives Kasperi Kapanen, Trent Frederic, Mathieu Joseph and Colton Dach opportunities to solidify top-nine positions.

Kapanen brings speed and experience, Joseph offers defensive reliability and penalty-killing ability, while Frederic provides size and physicality. Dach may be the most intriguing option after recording four points in eight regular-season games with Edmonton. The Oilers demonstrated their belief in the 6-foot-4 forward by signing him to a two-year contract.

Edmonton would obviously prefer to enter camp healthy, but competition can strengthen its depth. The players who capitalize on these openings could reshape the Oilers’ lineup before the regular season begins.