The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2025-26 NHL season with a heavy weight on their shoulders. After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses, the team is desperate to prove that their championship window is still wide open. This year feels different, though. There are new faces in the lineup, key injuries to overcome, and plenty of questions about how head coach Kris Knoblauch will set his lines.
The most notable additions come in the form of rookies like wingers Ike Howard and Matt Savoie, who are both expected to inject speed and youthful energy into the lineup. Alongside them is veteran winger Andrew Mangiapane, signed in free agency to add secondary scoring and versatility.
On paper, the Oilers’ forward group looks decent, but the absence of Zach Hyman until at least November leaves a noticeable hole in the top six. Hyman’s relentless forechecking and net-front presence have been crucial in the team’s playoff runs, and his absence will force the Oilers to get creative.
The team has already tried Trent Frederic on the top line but there are plenty of other options at the Oilers coaching staff's disposal.
Stacking the Oilers top line with McDavid and Draisaitl should be a last resort
Knoblauch has already made waves by confirming that superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will start the season on the same line. At first glance, it’s a move that makes perfect sense—putting two of the league’s most dominant offensive players together is a surefire way to spark production. However, stacking the top line comes with significant risks. It leaves the rest of the lineup thinner and more vulnerable, especially while the team is integrating rookies and adjusting without Hyman.
Opponents know that if they can contain McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers’ secondary scoring can dry up quickly. Deploying the duo together every shift may create highlight-reel moments, but it also gives opposing coaches one clear target to shut down. In the long grind of an 82-game season, balance often proves more sustainable than top-heavy firepower.
MCDAVID TO DRAISAITL, THE OILERS TAKE GAME ONE IN OVERTIME 🤯🚨 pic.twitter.com/fh0LTyjRPl
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 5, 2025
That said, there’s no denying the intimidation factor. Few defenses can handle McDavid’s speed and vision combined with Draisaitl’s shot and strength. In short bursts, it’s a matchup nightmare. The real challenge for Knoblauch will be finding the right mix—knowing when to unleash his two superstars together and when to spread the wealth across multiple lines.
With fresh talent, a key injury, and bold coaching decisions already shaping the narrative, the Oilers’ 2025-26 campaign is set to be one of the most intriguing storylines in the NHL.