Projecting the season-opening lineup for the Edmonton Oilers

But who will centre Savoie on the third line? There are a few different paths the Oilers can take. If Howard plays on the first line, sticking Nugent-Hopkins at centre with Frederic on the left wing is an option (and the best one at that). If the longest-tenured Oiler returns to play alongside McDavid, Adam Henrique may jump up to the third line while Frederic moves down to the fourth line left-wing spot to make room for Howard as the 3LW. Two rookies on the same line is less than ideal, though.

As for the fourth line, there’s a strong likelihood that Henrique centres that line, but if he moves up to the third line, Lazar, Noah Philp, and Tomášek are options. Moreover, Mattias Janmark can play centre, but is best suited as their fourth-line left winger. Kasperi Kapanen likely plays on the fourth line right wing.

Howard-McDavid-Hyman

Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Mangiapane

Frederic-RNH-Savoie

Janmark-Henrique-Kapanen

Tomášek, Lazar

Defence

Not a whole lot has changed with defence, but there are still three lingering questions for the Oilers. First and foremost, how healthy is Mattias Ekholm? Which left-handed defenceman will flip over and play on the right side? Which right-shot defenceman will play on the third pairing?

You can expect the team’s top pairing to be Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, but things could change later in the season. Darnell Nurse will likely be the second-pairing left-shot defenceman, but after that, things are dicey.

Edmonton’s best left-shot defenceman who can play right side is Brett Kulak, as he’s had plenty of time in that role as an Oiler. Jake Walman is also an option who has more offensive upside and is the best puck-moving defenceman on the Oilers, not named Evan Bouchard. Walman probably gets the nod to play on the second pairing with Nurse.

Assuming Kulak plays on the left side, there are a few options to play on the right with him. Ty Emberson likely gets the first look as the Oilers’ brass rewarded him with a two-year deal before last season ended. Alec Regula will be pushing for a spot in Edmonton, but veteran Troy Stecher has the inside track. 

Ekholm-Bouchard

Nurse-Walman

Kulak-Emberson

Stecher

Unless there is a move out of left field, it looks like the Oilers will run the Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard goaltending tandem once again. At this point, you have to hope that Skinner finds consistency in his game, and perhaps a new goalie coach can help with that.

What do you think about my season-opening lineup for the Edmonton Oilers? Let us know in the comments how you think the team should look come October 8.