It has been a typically slow start for the Edmonton Oilers. The first nine games of the 2025-26 season have come and gone and the Oilers have a perfect .500 record at 4-4-1. It’s exactly the same record they had after nine games last year, too.
A huge part of the sluggish start is the line blender Kris Knoblauch has employed on a nightly basis. Since opening night, Knoblauch has struggled to find a set of lines that he feels comfortable rolling out for multiple periods in a row, and instead of spreading the Oilers’ depth around, he has consistently returned to the McDrai line.
It’s not a recipe for success long term and into the playoffs. However, with several rookies on the team just cutting their teeth in the NHL, plus the injury to staple top-liner Zach Hyman, it’s been tough for the team to find a groove.
Well, thankfully that’s all about to change.
Hyman is set to return as early as next week, and when he’s back the team will feel a whole lot different. The only downside is someone will have to come out of the lineup to make space for him.
In this week’s Sunday Census, we asked our readers who Hyman should displace in the lineup when he returns.
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!
Not Matt Savoie?
There was a decent split of votes at the top, but Matt Savoie received exactly zero votes from Oilers fans on this poll.
Savoie is definitely the rookie who has the most offensive upside, and for a team that needs to add scoring depth it doesn’t make a ton of sense to keep him out of the lineup. I agree for the most part – keeping Savoie out isn’t a good idea, but Savoie really hasn’t played well to start the year.
With just one assist on the season, Savoie has zero 5v5 points and is bleeding chances every time he steps on the ice. His underlying possession numbers are all underwater and he allows significantly more scoring opportunities against the Oilers than for the Oilers when he takes a shift.
At 5v5, he’s been on the ice for five goals against and just one goal for. He’s also allowed 26 high danger chances compared to the 13 for.
It’s been a tough start for Savoie, but the potential is there, and ideally with Hyman back in the fold he can slot in on a consistent line and build some chemistry and familiarity.
David Tomasek or Isaac Howard
Based on utilization by Knoblauch, David Tomasek or Isaac Howard actually looks like the correct answer. Both are sitting in the nine minute mark of ice time at 5v5 per game, both have scored just one goal and one point at 5v5, and both have been healthy scratched for a game this season.
That being said, Tomasek should have the inside track over Howard. He’s been effective on the power play in a net-front role, similar to where Hyman would play, so that gives the Oilers a good option on the second unit or an alternate in case Hyman is in the box.
With Hyman almost certainly joining McDavid on the top line, it will also force one of these players down the lineup, and Tomasek’s game is better suited for a bottom-six role than Howard’s is.
Howard hasn’t really taken off in the NHL just yet, and his underlying numbers are similarly awful to Savoie’s. Maybe he gets some AHL time if he can’t stick in the lineup with Hyman returns.
Jack Roslovic got a few votes as well, but it looks like Knoblauch likes him. Roslovic’s ice time has steadily increased and is now averaging 14:27 per game at 5v5.
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Hyman’s return will change everything
In the best possible way, Hyman’s return to the lineup is going to change everything.
The Oilers are really struggling to find consistency in their game and find line combinations that work. Hyman getting back to his regular role alongside McDavid and in front of the net on the power play is going to bring so much stability to the lineup. Everyone should slot down the lines better, Knoblauch should be able to keep McDavid and Draisaitl separated, and the team should be able to build some chemistry and get going.
He’s one of the best free agent signings of the cap era and is a massive part of this team. Hopefully when Hyman returns he’s at 100% and hits the ground running.
