Which Oilers players are leaders in the dressing room?

Team culture matters.

Which Edmonton Oilers players are good in the dressing room? Who leads with their voice? Who holds other players accountable? Who rallies the boys when the chips are down? Who lightens the mood? Who is the prankster? Which guy is the DJ? Fans and media have limited access to the dressing room, and it should stay that way. However, we can glean insights from interviews, in-game footage, body language, community events, and Oilers+ content. Former Oilers winger Jack Roslovic spoke about his experience in Edmonton last year: “I think it was a big learning process for me; the culture was really good. I think it was the work ethic off the ice that was a big learning curve for me”.

Of course, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead the way; let’s look at the next tier of dressing room leaders behind the two superstars.

Zach Hyman

One of the most important dressing room guys is Zach Hyman. He’s a well-spoken individual who leads by example. Hyman is considered a high-character player who never takes a shift off. For many pro athletes, consistency is elusive, but not for the Toronto native. The Oilers winger also has a great sense of humor and often has a big smile on his face. It’s easy to see why other players, coaches, and management enjoy having him on their team. Hyman is the type of athlete that teammates will follow when the going gets tough. Even before he was made an assistant captain, he was a born leader.

Vasily Podkolzin

The young Russian makes his presence felt when the team prepares to skate onto the ice. Podkolzin pumps up the other players, bangs his stick, and prepares the group for battle. He is the first player at the rink every day and the first one on the ice. The Oilers winger is committed and focused, and it rubs off on his teammates. Only a few years ago, he captained Russia’s World Junior and U18 teams; it’s easy to see why.

Connor Murphy

Connor Murphy is one of two character guys Stan Bowman brought in from the Chicago Blackhawks at last season’s trade deadline. He’s a defensive defenceman who will put his body on the line for the team. He’ll block shots, dish out huge hits, and protect his teammates. The outgoing American is also a strong voice in the room. He’s brought more energy to the dressing room since being acquired.

Jason Dickinson

The Oilers’ 3rd-line centre always speaks his mind. Dickinson is a mature individual who expects a lot of himself and the people around him. Like Murphy, he’s a veteran who appears to have the ear of other players when he speaks. In his dealings with the media, he’ll share his opinion openly. It’s likely he does the same in the dressing room, calling the team or certain players out.

Devon Levi

Devon Levi has been a revelation. As Michael Menzies said on DFO Edmonton’s Post Gaming show recently, “This could change the game for the franchise long term.” If he continues to develop into a top goaltender, Edmonton could have found a real gem. He is 8-1 and his stats are impressive if you ignore the first game of the season. The 24-year-old’s ability and attitude have added to the Oilers’ team culture; last Saturday, Mike Babcock spoke about his goalie: “He’s got a smile on his face every time you see him. He works really hard. His personality is infectious, and he shares himself with his teammates, and it’s good for us.”

Max Jones

Flying under the radar is Max Jones. His teammates enjoy his outgoing nature, and he lightens the mood. Jones’ stats don’t jump off the page, but he’s a big body who sticks up for his teammates, and he has some skill. He also played with Evan Bouchard on the London Knights in the OHL. These connections add a lot to the dressing room culture. Sometimes fans wonder why a certain player was traded, let go because of an offer sheet, or added to the team. At times, it’s because of chemistry or other aspects of an athlete’s character. Jones is an example of a player who plays his role and fits in.