It has taken nearly an entire decade to accomplish this seemingly impossible feat, but the Edmonton Oilers are finally hitting a point where the lineup has actual depth. Half of the roster positions are no longer being filled by players who generally wouldn’t be rostered on numerous other teams in the league. The way the roster and lineup is constructed gives almost everyone a chance in big situations, which most of the players live up to when called on.
These 2025–26 Oilers could be one of the deepest teams the city has seen in decades. Which may not be saying much given some of the teams that have been put together since 2010, but it is still a marked improvement that is getting better each season.
One extremely notable difference with this season’s depth is the battle for the bottom line roster spots in training camp. Usually there is a massive drop off from the NHL’s fourth line and the AHL call-ups. But right until the end of training camp, there have been battles ongoing for roster spots among a handful of players looking to make the NHL roster. Although they have been mostly settled by now, these players all received a ton of praise for their play in training camp and preseason to the point where they very easily could have made the opening night roster.
We wanted to see how Oil Country was feeling about the team’s depth players heading into the season, so this week we took to X to ask which of these players had impressed you the most in training camp.
Want to take part in Sunday Census polls? We send them out every week on our Twitter at @oilrigEDM. Follow along or send in ideas for the next poll!
Is this finally Noah Philp’s chance?
Since he returned to professional hockey before the 2024–25 season, Noah Philp has been a highly regarded part of the Oilers forward depth. His build, being a big, right-shot centre with some speed and hands, hockey IQ, and work ethic have earned him some long looks for a spot in the NHL. In fact, last season he was in the same situation headed into the regular season. A strong showing in training camp had him nearly on the opening night roster, but he was ultimately left off to get some reps in the AHL after missing a season of action. Nevertheless, he was regularly at the top of the call-up list and did make his NHL debut last season.
Entering the 2025–26 season, the situation is the same for Philp. A strong showing in preseason has him pencilled into many people’s opening night roster, including 27.1% of voters, placing him second in this poll. And rightfully so. But similarly to last season, it may be difficult for Philp to draw into the lineup for some reason. He struggled to get a long look before, but maybe this will finally be his chance to draw into the lineup on a regular basis.
The rookie campaign for Quinn Hutson will have to wait
After signing with the Oilers late last season to make his debut in the final two regular season games of 2024–25, Quinn Hutson came into camp with something to prove, and a roster spot to win. He performed well, and the team does see him as a part of their future plans. If he transitions well to the pro game.
Some strong rookie camp and preseason games gave us glimpses into what type of player he could be. Hutson has shown some incredible hands, vision, and play creating skills that could provide a boost to the middle-six offence when he develops just a little bit more. That was the key, however, as Hutson was sent down to start the season in the AHL. He finished last in this week’s poll with 3.9% of the fan vote.
Given his skillset, however, he does project to draw into the lineup soon as a replacement for injuries in the middle-six or potentially a swap with Isaac Howard, if he struggles to start the season.
From waiver claim to NHL Regula(r)?
The Oilers have had some success recently with waiver claims. Kasperi Kapanen as turned into a fixture in the lineup. And now, Alec Regula looks to be poised to see some NHL time as well after a strong preseason.
When he was claimed off of waivers last December, Regula was yet to play that season and ended up missing the entire year due to injury. So we never really got a chance to see what his game was all about. It may have been even more confusing when the Oilers re-signed him back in May without ever seeing him play. But now that we have gotten to see him in some preseason action, both fans and Oilers media alike have been pleasantly surprised at how the defender plays.
He has shown poise, defensive reliability, and an all-important solid first pass to activate the breakout, which would hopefully fit in well with the team’s playstyle and provide some additional support with transition offence to the bottom-six.
Regula has been battling with Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher through the preseason for the final two roster spots on defence. A large number of fans, 43.4% of voters to lead this week’s poll, see him as the most impressive depth player in training camp. Maybe that is a sign of Regula making the opening day roster.
Atro Leppanen ready to add more offence from the defence?
Although he has now (unsurprisingly) been sent down to the AHL to get some experience in North America after signing from Finland earlier this year, Atro Leppanen was one of the early standouts in training camp and preseason who got a lot of games, and plenty of chances for us to see what he can provide.
Leppanen led the Liiga in scoring last season as a defender, an impressive feat. Coming over to the Oilers organization, we sort of knew what we could expect. An offensive defender to help give each defensive pairing Edmonton has a player with these skills. Stereotypically, his defensive game is a bit lacking. But the system the Oilers employ seems to help shelter this, as would the right defensive partner.
Earlier in the preseason, Leppanen was dressed for nearly every game. And although the offensive side of his game did not translate over quite yet, he went pointless in five games, there were positive signs in his play that indicate he is a talented and intelligent player. His stickhandling is strong, he has shown the ability to deke and retain control of the puck under pressure from forecheckers. His defensive reads are better than expected, he was effective in shutting down the rush and quickly transitioning play the other direction.
Leppanen finished a close third in this week’s poll with 25.6% of the vote. He should be near the top of the call-up list heading into the season, but a few games in the AHL wouldn’t hurt.
Honourable mention
X polls can only hold four options, which meant someone had to be left off. This time, that was Viljami Marjala. X user @thackattack41 would have voted for him, as I’m sure many others would.
Marjala showed high levels of compete and the ability to create plays in the games he did dress for before being sent down. We can expect to see him get a chance in the NHL at some point as well.
Who would you have voted for? Drop a comment down below!/
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