For the first time in several seasons, a genuine sense of unpredictability hangs in the autumn air as the Edmonton Oilers prepare to open training camp. The familiar cast of characters has been altered, the script slightly rewritten. Under the guidance of GM Stan Bowman, a calculated pivot is underway—a necessary move away from established, and often expensive, veterans towards a younger, more dynamic, and cap-friendly core of support players.
This isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s a strategic re-engineering of the team’s DNA, driven by the looming nine-figure contract extensions for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. For the Oilers to maintain their status as a perennial Stanley Cup contender, they need impact players on entry-level contracts. This reality has turned the 2025-26 training camp into the most compelling internal competition the franchise has seen in years. From the coveted spot on McDavid’s wing to the final chair on the blue line, jobs are well and truly up for grabs. Here are the key storylines and positional battles to watch.
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Who Flies with McDavid and Draisaitl?
All eyes, as always, will be on the top of the lineup, but this year, the intrigue is about who gets to ride shotgun with the superstars. The most electrifying storyline revolves around Ike Howard, the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner and the organization’s new top prospect. The 21-year-old winger is not just knocking on the door; he’s expected to kick it down. Howard profiles as the exact type of player McDavid has long needed: a shot-first, offensively instinctive winger with a preternatural ability to find soft spots in defensive coverage. The organization will give him every opportunity to seize the first-line left wing spot, and his success or failure in that role during the preseason could dictate the entire forward lineup.
While Howard is the odds-on favorite, he’s not the only one getting a look. Newly signed UFA Andrew Mangiapane, brought in to provide middle-six scoring and a healthy dose of “snarl,” will get a look on the top line, as will veteran Adam Henrique in a dark horse scenario.
The competition is just as fierce for the open slots alongside Leon Draisaitl on the second line. Vasily Podkolzin, who spent much of last season on Draisaitl’s left flank, returns to defend his position. However, Mangiapane is arguably a more natural fit there and represents the leading candidate for the 2LW role. The former Flame is only a season removed from a 40-point campaign and boasts a 35-goal season on his resume; his brand of tenacious, greasy offense is precisely what the second line needs.
On the right side, the “most intriguing” candidate is 21-year-old Matthew Savoie. After a stellar AHL rookie season where he posted 54 points in 64 games for the Bakersfield Condors, Savoie is poised for a full-time NHL role. In a brief four-game call-up last year, he displayed some chemistry with Draisaitl. His relentless motor and high-end skill align perfectly with the type of winger Draisaitl thrives with. A strong camp could not only land Savoie a top-six job but also vault him into the Calder Trophy conversation. He’ll face competition from overseas signing David Tomasek, and the versatile Trent Frederic, now fully healthy, could also be an option if he impresses.
A New Role for Nuge?
The successful integration of youth into the top six would create a fascinating and welcome problem for the coaching staff, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being the primary domino. Should Howard and Savoie lock down spots on the top two lines, the long-serving “Nuge” could be pushed down to the third-line centre position.
While some might view this as a demotion, insiders see it as the key to unlocking “incredible depth” for the Oilers. A third line anchored by a player of Nugent-Hopkins’s caliber—a perennially smart, defensively responsible forward who can still produce offensively—would be a matchup nightmare for any opponent. He has proven effective in the 3C role before, and formalizing that assignment would give Edmonton one of the most formidable one-two-three punches down the middle in the entire league. Of course, this is contingent on the kids proving they are ready. If they falter, veteran Adam Henrique, who held the 3C job for most of last season, is ready to step back in, with Trent Frederic also vying for that spot.
The Fight for the Fringes
The battle for the final few forward spots promises to be a grind. The fourth-line centre job, in particular, presents a classic showdown between a reliable veteran and a fan-favorite prospect. Curtis Lazar was brought in via free agency to provide a steady, experienced presence at the bottom of the lineup. His hardest competition will come from 26-year-old Noah Philp.
Philp, who is stretching the definition of a prospect, has become a beloved figure in the organization. After briefly retiring from the sport, he returned with a vengeance, demonstrating his offensive upside in Bakersfield and earning a 15-game look with the big club. His significant advantage over Lazar is his prowess in the faceoff circle, a critical skill for a fourth-line pivot.
Meanwhile, a host of other young forwards are looking to force their way into the conversation. Quinn Hutson, an undrafted NCAA free agent signing, already has a two-game taste of the NHL. While he’s a likely candidate for the AHL, his high-end offensive skill could make him a surprise contender for a top-nine role if he has a standout camp. He was notably chosen as the Oilers’ representative for the NHLPA rookie showcase, a nod to his potential. Wildcards in the mix include German signing Josh Samanski for the fourth line and the aforementioned David Tomasek, who could push for a depth role.
The Duel for the Third Pairing
While the forward group is a whirlwind of possibilities, the defensive corps is more settled—with one notable exception. The top-four appears set, leaving one spot open on the right side of the third pairing. The incumbent and early favorite is Troy Stecher. His steady, no-frills game earned him consistent minutes down the stretch last season and throughout the playoffs. He is the known commodity, the safe bet.
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His primary challenger is Ty Emberson, a player eager to prove he is more than just a depth defenseman. Emberson will need to have a near-flawless camp to unseat Stecher, demonstrating that he can be a reliable, minute-munching defender every single night. Pushing from behind are Josh Brown, who saw limited action last year, and Alec Regula, a surprise candidate who could enter the fray if he arrives at camp fully healthy and ready to impress.
This training camp is a pivot point for the Oilers franchise. It’s the manifestation of a clear front-office strategy to build a sustainable winner around its two superstars. The success of young, cost-controlled players like Howard, Savoie, and Hutson isn’t just a bonus; it’s a financial and competitive necessity. For the fans, it promises a September filled with meaningful competition and a tantalizing glimpse into the future of the Edmonton Oilers.
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