The Edmonton Oilers’ 2025–26 opening night roster is now fully in view. The team had to wait an extra day to place Zach Hyman on long-term injured reserve. But after doing so, in separate transactions they recalled David Tomasek and Isaac “Ike” Howard from the Bakersfield Condors. Going the other way is forward James Hamblin.
The full roster at present, and projected lineup
With those moves, we now have a solid answer as to what the NHL roster will be as we wake up on “Edmonton Day.” The remaining personnel are sorted last-name alphabetically, and by category. The projected lineup for tomorrow is coming; hold your horses.
| FORWARDS | ||
| Leon Draisaitl | Trent Frederic | Adam Henrique |
| Isaac Howard | Zach Hyman | Mattias Janmark |
| Kasperi Kapanen | Curtis Lazar | Andrew Mangiapane |
| Connor McDavid | Ryan Nugent- Hopkins | Noah Philp |
| Vasily Podkolzin | Matthew Savoie | David Tomasek |
| DEFENCEMEN | ||
| Evan Bouchard | Mattias Ekholm | Ty Emberson |
| Brett Kulak | Darnell Nurse | Alec Regula |
| Troy Stecher | Jake Walman | |
| GOALTENDER | BACKUP | |
| Stuart Skinner | Calvin Pickard |
As this observer was going to muse about the projected lineup for tomorrow night, an update arose. The legendary Bob Stauffer beat this observer to the punch. Here’s how Stauffer sees the lineup looking tomorrow night:
What this means for the Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers seem rigid in the belief that “loading up” the McDavid line to start the season is the best play. Likely when Hyman returns is when we’ll see him and Draisaitl on different lines, and possibly a reunion of McDavid-Hyman-Nuge. For now, them with Frederic will suffice. For Frederic, this is a monumental opportunity to prove his value to this team. After signing a rich extension earlier in 2025, Frederic has to put his injury-plagued 2024–25 behind him, and come out of the gates roaring.
Regula will also have a major opportunity before him. While he is likely only in the 2RD position for tomorrow night with Walman out, this doubles as his chance to cement his hold on the 3RD job, above Emberson and Stecher. If he holds his own with Nurse, he can achieve this objective.
Among forwards, Philp is the surprise of camp, as he will get to be in the opening-night lineup for the first time. Philp’s comeback has been well-documented, and it’s fantastic to see him be rewarded. Now, though, he must reward the coaches’ trust in him. Lazar and, when healthy, Janmark will be raring to go at any point, so Philp’s job will be to play well enough that it’s a different forward who gets replaced when it’s time to make a lineup change.
Lastly, Skinner has a lot to prove this season. He gets the opening-night nod for the second consecutive year, but with likely a much shorter leash. The team cannot be blown out in the first game like they were last season. Fair or not, it starts with #74. This is his chance to prove he’s the starter the Oilers need, just like he did in 2023 and 2024.
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