Projecting Edmonton Oilers’ 2025-26 Line Combinations This Early Could Be Premature — But the Big Picture Is Already Taking Shape
Every NHL offseason brings with it a swirl of speculation, but few teams invite more scrutiny than the Edmonton Oilers. With a generational talent in Connor McDavid, an elite one-two punch with Leon Draisaitl, and a championship window that feels both urgent and narrow, every move, contract, and lineup decision gets magnified tenfold. So, as the dust settles from the first wave of free agency and training camp still looms months away, it’s fair to ask: is it too early to project the Oilers’ forward lines and defensive pairings for the 2025-26 season?
Strictly speaking, yes. Too much can change between now and puck drop in October — lingering trade rumors, potential PTO (professional tryout) surprises, camp standouts, late signings, or even an injury or two. However, for a team like Edmonton with a mostly established core and a few new complementary pieces, an early look at lineup structure isn’t totally without merit. It provides a roadmap of where things could be headed, what decisions still need to be made, and where the roster remains vulnerable.
Let’s start up front with the top six, where the picture is clearest. Connor McDavid, barring anything unforeseen, will center the top line — but who joins him is always a talking point. Zach Hyman, fresh off a career-high goal total and consistent playoff production, seems cemented at left wing. His blend of north-south speed, forechecking, and finishing has made him McDavid’s most consistent wing partner in years.
On the right side, the Oilers could go several directions. Dylan Holloway is one name floating to the top of early projections. After an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign in which he split time between the NHL and AHL, Holloway came alive during the postseason with energetic shifts and flashes of high-end skill. If he carries that momentum into camp, he could find himself beside the captain — a role that could accelerate his development dramatically. The other option is newcomer Andrew Mangiapane. While traditionally a left winger, Mangiapane’s versatility and defensive awareness could allow him to slot in on the right, providing balance and a two-way conscience on a line otherwise built on speed and offense.
The second line is led, naturally, by Leon Draisaitl. The German star remains one of the most complete offensive players in the world, and Edmonton’s coaching staff has often opted to spread their top talent across two lines to create matchup nightmares. Draisaitl’s chemistry with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is undeniable, and the latter’s playmaking touch and power-play prowess makes him an ideal second-line left wing, even if he’s technically a natural center.
On the right side, the Oilers may give a look to Kaapo Kakko, the reclamation project signed to a one-year deal. While Kakko never fully found his footing in New York, a change of scenery — and the chance to play with world-class linemates — could unlock the potential that once made him the second overall pick. This line would be built to control possession and lean heavily on offensive zone time.
Third-line projections are where the questions really begin. Ryan McLeod likely returns as the center. His skating and defensive zone responsibility give him a clear identity as a shutdown pivot, but Edmonton needs him to chip in more offensively, especially if the Oilers hope to run three scoring lines. The left wing could belong to Warren Foegele — if the Oilers find a way to bring him back after losing him in free agency, which seems increasingly unlikely. If not, this could be where Mangiapane settles in, particularly if Holloway sticks in the top six. The right wing might go to Derek Ryan or perhaps Connor Brown, should he be retained on another low-cost deal. Neither offers much in the way of goal scoring, but their experience and reliability could provide much-needed glue.
Alternatively, if the Oilers do move Bourgault or another prospect before opening night for a more established forward, this third line could take on a more dynamic look — a hybrid scoring/checking line rather than a purely defensive unit.
On the fourth line, things remain in flux, but Curtis Lazar, signed this summer, is expected to anchor the center role. His faceoff ability, penalty-killing resume, and gritty style are tailor-made for fourth-line duty. The wings could feature Mattias Janmark and perhaps Sam Gagner, assuming he returns on a veteran-friendly deal. Another name to watch is Xavier Bourgault, depending on how his trade situation resolves. If he’s not moved and has a strong camp, he may force his way into the bottom six, though the Oilers would prefer he play meaningful minutes — not limited shifts on a checking line.
Now, to the blueline — a unit that will carry over much of its structure from last season but with one key departure and another internal promotion. At the top, Darnell Nurse remains the minute-munching workhorse on the left side. Despite criticism about his contract and inconsistency, he remains a vital part of the team’s defensive identity. His likely partner is Cody Ceci, though Ceci’s status has become increasingly scrutinized. His defensive lapses last year made him a scapegoat at times, but unless the Oilers swing a trade for a right-side upgrade, Ceci likely begins the season in that role.
The second pair is the true strength of this defense: Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard. Ekholm’s arrival has been one of the most impactful additions of the McDavid era, stabilizing Bouchard’s game and giving Edmonton a legitimate shutdown option. Bouchard, meanwhile, has evolved into one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive defensemen. His vision, breakout passing, and power-play quarterbacking are elite, and he will again be tasked with driving offense from the back end.
With Brett Kulak now gone, the third pair will likely feature Philip Broberg on the left. Long considered a blue-chip prospect, Broberg took major steps forward in 2024-25 and may finally be ready for a full-time NHL role. His skating is NHL-caliber, and his ability to retrieve pucks and transition cleanly out of the zone could be a major asset if his decision-making continues to improve. The right side of that pairing is open for competition. Vincent Desharnais re-signed this summer and brings size, shot-blocking, and physicality. He’s the early favorite, but someone like Travis Dermott — signed as a depth piece — could surprise if he shows chemistry with Broberg in preseason.
As for the extra defensemen, Edmonton will likely carry one or two options depending on cap flexibility. Dermott and veteran prospect Markus Niemeläinen could rotate in as needed. Don’t be surprised if another minor signing or waiver pickup occurs late in camp to round out the group.
Goaltending remains a lingering concern. Stuart Skinner will enter the season as the starter, though how firmly he holds that role remains to be seen. After an up-and-down playoff stretch, confidence in his long-term ceiling is mixed. As of now, there’s no clear-cut backup following Calvin Pickard’s departure. Jack Campbell is still under contract, but his time in the AHL and ongoing struggles have made him a wild card. It’s possible he returns — if only by necessity — but the Oilers would surely prefer to bring in a veteran on a cheaper, shorter deal. A trade could also materialize late in the offseason, especially if other clubs need to shed a goalie.
So, is it too early to lock in the 2025-26 lineup? Technically, yes. The NHL is a volatile league. Training camps surprise, injuries strike, chemistry fluctuates, and one unexpected trade can alter the entire structure of a team. But given the personnel currently on paper, a tentative projection helps frame the offseason narrative. It shows where depth still needs reinforcing, which prospects are closest to contributing, and how new signings might shift internal hierarchies.
In Edmonton’s case, much of the heavy lifting has been done. The stars are in place. The core roles are defined. The new additions — Mangiapane, Lazar, Kakko — all fit within specific archetypes. But the margins will matter. Whether Broberg is ready, whether Holloway or Bourgault can take the next step, whether the goaltending holds up — these will decide whether this team finally gets over the hump or simply adds another chapter to its story of almost.
Too early? Maybe. But in a city this hockey-crazed, the season’s strategic groundwork is never really out of season.
