The dust has barely settled on the 2024-25 NHL season, but in Edmonton, the winds of change are already blowing. General manager Stan Bowman, never one to rest on his laurels, has been hard at work reshaping the Oilers’ forward group, and the result is a lineup that looks younger, faster, and hungrier than ever before. After a flurry of offseason moves, the Oilers are poised to make another deep playoff run, and it all starts with their dynamic forward corps. Let’s break down the changes, the projections, and the burning questions surrounding the Oilers’ forwards heading into the 2025-26 season.
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Out with the Old, In with the Bold: A Summer of Transformation
This wasn’t your typical offseason of minor tweaks and depth signings. Bowman and the Oilers’ brass made some bold moves, shipping out established veterans to pave the way for a new wave of talent. The departures of Evander Kane to Vancouver and Viktor Arvidsson to Boston were the big headline-grabbers, freeing up significant cap space and opening up prime roster spots. While the loss of Corey Perry to free agency stings, it was a necessary casualty in the quest for a younger, more sustainable roster.
The Oilers didn’t just subtract, however. They made a series of shrewd additions that have injected new life into the forward group. The crown jewel of their free-agent class is undoubtedly Andrew Mangiapane. The former Flame and Capital comes to Edmonton on a team-friendly two-year, $7.2 million deal, a testament to the Oilers’ patient approach in the early days of free agency. Mangiapane is a perfect fit for this team, a gritty, top-six winger who can score, forecheck, and play with an edge. The fact that he was personally recruited by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl speaks volumes about the culture the Oilers are building, and Mangiapane’s excitement to join a legitimate Stanley Cup contender is palpable.
Beyond Mangiapane, the Oilers brought in some valuable depth pieces. The re-signing of Kasperi Kapanen provides some much-needed speed and scoring on the wing, while the addition of Curtis Lazar shores up the fourth line with a reliable, veteran presence. The trade for Issac “Ike” Howard, a promising prospect from Michigan State, is another savvy move that adds to the Oilers’ already impressive pipeline of young talent.
The Projected Lineup: A Blend of Star Power and Youthful Exuberance
So, what does this all mean for the on-ice product? Here’s a look at how the Oilers’ forward lines could stack up on opening night:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
Andrew Mangiapane – Leon Draisaitl – Matthew Savoie
Vasily Podkolzin – Trent Frederic – David Tomasek
Mattias Janmark – Adam Henrique – Kasperi Kapanen
The top line remains a known commodity, a dominant force that can single-handedly take over a game. The real intrigue lies in the second line, where the addition of Mangiapane and the promotion of top prospect Matthew Savoie could create a truly dynamic scoring threat. Savoie, after a stellar season in the American Hockey League (AHL), appears ready to make the jump to the NHL, and playing alongside a superstar like Draisaitl could be the perfect environment for him to flourish.
The bottom six is where the Oilers’ newfound depth really shines. The third line of Podkolzin, Frederic, and Tomasek has the potential to be a high-energy, puck-possession machine, while the fourth line of Janmark, Henrique, and Kapanen provides a blend of veteran savvy and offensive upside. This is a bottom six that can not only hold its own but also chip in with some secondary scoring, a crucial ingredient for any Stanley Cup contender.
The Battle for Roster Spots: A Training Camp to Watch
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Oilers’ forward group is the intense competition for roster spots that is sure to unfold in training camp. With a wealth of talent at their disposal, head coach Kris Knoblauch will have some tough decisions to make, a “good problem to have” as they say.
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The spotlight will be on young guns like Quinn Hutson and Noah Philp, who will be pushing hard to crack the opening night roster. Howard, too, is a near-lock to make the team after two dominant seasons at Michigan State. These players represent the future of the franchise, and their development will be a key storyline to follow throughout the season.
The logjam in the bottom six could lead to some established veterans feeling the heat. Janmark, a reliable presence on the fourth line for the past three seasons, could find himself on the outside looking in. With a cap hit of $1.15 million, the Oilers could save some much-needed cap space by waiving and demoting him to the AHL. Insider Bob Stauffer has even hinted at the possibility of a trade to clear a path for some of the younger players.
The Final Touches: PTOs and the McDavid Extension
As if the offseason wasn’t eventful enough, the Oilers may not be done making moves. Rumors are swirling about the possibility of bringing in veteran forwards Max Pacioretty and Klim Kostin on professional tryout contracts (PTOs). Pacioretty, though on the wrong side of 30 and with a history of injuries, is a proven goal-scorer who could provide some valuable depth and veteran leadership. Kostin, a former Oiler, is a familiar face who could earn a spot on the roster with a strong showing in camp.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: the impending contract extension for Connor McDavid. While not directly related to the forward group for the upcoming season, a long-term deal for the best player in the world would provide a massive boost of confidence and stability for the entire organization.
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The Verdict: A Forward Group Built to Win
After a summer of significant change, the Oilers’ forward group is deeper, more skilled, and more versatile than it has been in years. The combination of established superstars, savvy veteran additions, and a wave of exciting young talent has created a lineup that is built to win now and in the future. The road to the Stanley Cup is long and arduous, but with a forward corps this dynamic, the Oilers have to be considered one of the top contenders in the Western Conference. The countdown to puck drop is on, and for Oilers fans, the excitement is palpable. This is a team with a new groove, and they’re ready to dance their way to a championship.
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