Edmonton Oilers depth updated review

Published: Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 2:30 pm

The Edmonton Oilers have undergone a significant offseason overhaul, aiming to rebound from a disappointing first-round playoff exit in 2025. General Manager Stan Bowman has been active, bringing in new talent across all positions, including goaltenders, defensemen, and forwards, while also moving on from Darnell Nurse. This reshapes the roster considerably for the upcoming season.

The forward group is highlighted as the team's continued strength. The core remains anchored by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, supported by secondary stars Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. A notable development is the emergence of promising young prospects Isaac Howard and Matt Savoie, representing the future of the organization. Established depth players like Kasperi Kapanen, Jason Dickinson, and Vasily Podkolzin are expected to reprise significant roles, having performed well in the limited playoff action. The fourth line features Mathieu Joseph, bringing speed, Josh Samanski, who showed potential last season, and Trent Frederic. Additional forwards include Colton Dach and Mattias Janmark. The AHL squad also offers depth with skilled players like Quinn Hutson, and grinders Connor Clattenburg and Max Jones. The overall forward depth is described as robust, combining star power, youth, and reliable depth.

On the defensive side, the Oilers appear to have a surplus of talent. The top pairing is set with the offensive prowess of Evan Bouchard and the veteran defensive presence of Mattias Ekholm. The second pairing is a balanced combination of Jake Walman, who provides secondary offensive support, and Connor Murphy, a solid top-four defenseman acquired last year who excels on the penalty kill. The bottom pairing presents a question mark, with new additions Ryan Shea, coming off a strong season, and Shakir Mukhamadullin, a large, skilled skater. The team also has Spencer Stastney and Ty Emberson as additional options, with Stastney's recent re-signing potentially impacting Emberson's roster spot. This defensive corps is considered the strongest the Oilers have fielded in some time, offering good depth and flexibility.

Goaltending has seen a complete transformation. Tristan Jarry remains with the team, and Frederik Andersen has been added via free agency, fresh off a Stanley Cup victory. Devon Levi was also acquired through a trade. While Andersen is nearing the end of his career, he is still considered a capable goaltender. Levi, though young and having struggled statistically at the NHL level, is seen as a potential addition with NHL upside, addressing a long-standing need for goaltending depth. Connor Ungar is also developing in the AHL. The goaltending situation is viewed as significantly improved, with multiple capable NHL options.

BNN's Perspective: The Oilers' aggressive offseason moves suggest a clear intent to contend. The revamped forward and defense corps appear strong on paper, addressing previous weaknesses. The goaltending situation, while improved, remains a key area to monitor, as consistent performance between the pipes will be crucial for any deep playoff run. The team has clearly prioritized building a more complete roster, and the early success of these new acquisitions will be vital.

Tags: Edmonton Oilers, offseason moves, roster update, forward depth, defense depth, goaltending depth, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Isaac Howard, Matt Savoie, Kasperi Kapanen, Jason Dickinson, Vasily Podkolzin, Mathieu Joseph, Josh Samanski, Trent Frederic, Colton Dach, Mattias Janmark, Quinn Hutson, Connor Clattenburg, Max Jones, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Connor Murphy, Ryan Shea, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Spencer Stastney, Ty Emberson, Tristan Jarry, Frederik Andersen, Devon Levi, Connor Ungar, 2025 playoffs, Stan Bowman

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