The Edmonton Oilers' 2026-27 roster is taking shape, with a mix of familiar faces and new additions. The team's coaching staff and front office are busy, but the core of the team is already coming into focus.
The Forwards
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Matt Savoie, Kasperi Kapanen, Vasily Podkolzin, Jason Dickinson, Trent Frederic, and Josh Samanski are all considered locks for the opening day roster. Samanski, however, is still unproven and will need to impress in camp. The team hasn't brought in any new players to compete for his minutes as the 4C.
Colton Dach, Isaac Howard, Mathieu Joseph, Max Jones, Connor Clattenburg, Mattias Janmark, and Quinn Hutson are competing for the remaining forward spots. Dach, Howard, and Joseph are strong contenders, with Dach's performance last year and Howard's potential leap into the NHL. Joseph's signing could be a sneaky good addition as a penalty kill specialist. Jones has shown he can succeed in the NHL, while Clattenburg's fun playstyle might be better suited for the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.
The Defence and Goalies
Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Connor Murphy, and Ryan Shea will likely take up the majority of minutes on the blue line. Beyond them, Ty Emberson, Spencer Stastney, and Shakir Mukhamadullin will compete for the sixth spot and an extra defenceman role. Emberson's improvement and right-shot advantage give him an edge, while Mukhamadullin's acquisition in the Darnell Nurse trade provides an inside track to the roster.
Stastney is likely the odd man out, and the team must decide whether to trade him or risk putting him on waivers. In the crease, the Oilers will keep Tristan Jarry, Frederik Andersen, and Devon Levi, creating good competition but also a roster crunch. This means one extra forward and defenceman will be on the roster.
Personal Takeaway
The Oilers' roster is taking shape, with a mix of proven talent and promising prospects. The coaching staff and front office have their work cut out for them, but the team's core is already coming together. The addition of players like Dach, Howard, and Joseph could be key to the team's success, while the defence and goaltending depth provide a solid foundation. The final pieces of the puzzle will be crucial in determining the Oilers' fate in the 2026-27 season.
