Every season, there’s a point where a new player stops feeling like just another addition and starts actually changing how the team looks. For the Edmonton Oilers, that doesn’t always come from the big names. It’s usually the guys who show up with little buzz and make you take notice anyway. No hype, no headlines, just consistent impact. And this year, a few first-year Oilers have done exactly that in ways that actually matter.
These aren’t guys being asked to carry the team. They’re just taking their roles and making them count a little more. It shows up in depth scoring, momentum shifts, and all the small details that don’t always make the highlight reel. You notice it over a full game, and even more over a stretch of games. The Oilers still lean on their stars, but these are the players making sure things don’t swing the other way when they’re not on the ice.
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Matt Savoie’s first full-time role
Matthew Savoie has come in as a first-year Oiler and has looked comfortable since the beginning of the season, when he started in his first real full-time role in the NHL. What stands out is how easy he is to play with. He keeps plays moving and reads off his linemates well. We’ve seen him click with skilled guys because he can keep up, but also with heavier lines where he adds some pace. That kind of mix isn’t easy for a young player.
He is currently ranked 11th in NHL rookie scoring, with 15 goals and 18 assists in 79 games this season. He’s also been moved around the lineup quite a bit, and it hasn’t really phased him. Some nights he’s getting a look higher up, other nights he’s lower in the lineup trying to bring energy. Either way, his game stays the same. He plays with speed, supports the puck well, and doesn’t overthink things. That’s usually what keeps a young player in the coach’s good graces.
You notice it in the little things, but recently, it has shown most when he’s up on the first line with Connor McDavid. He doesn’t try to do too much; he keeps up well, moves the puck quickly, and ends up in the right spots at the right times. That’s all you need with McDavid, and he’s been able to do it without slowing anything down. It might not always show on the scoresheet, but the line looks better with him out there.
Finding a solution with Jason Dickinson
Jason Dickinson has stepped into that third-line centre role, and it’s been a pretty natural fit. He’s helped settle things down on the penalty kill too, which was something the Oilers needed around the deadline. He can read the play well, keeps his stick in the right spots, and stays calm when things get messy. Dickinson doesn’t do anything flashy, just provides reliability, and that’s what gets you trusted in the important moments.
He’s also brought a bit more bite to the lineup, which this team can always use. He finishes his checks, gets involved after the whistle, and won’t hesitate to make things uncomfortable. It’s not over the top, but it’s noticeable, especially in tighter games. That kind of edge helps wear teams down over a playoff series. It’s something the Oilers don’t always have in their middle-six.
More than anything, he just fits with how this team wants to play. He can handle tough minutes, take draws, and still keep things moving the right way. Whether it’s holding onto pucks down low or making simple plays out of the zone, he’s reliable. He’s not there to carry a line, but he makes it easier for everyone around him. For a deadline pickup, that’s exactly the kind of impact you’re hoping for, especially leading into the playoffs.
As long as he didn’t sustain any major injury from taking a shot in the leg against the San Jose Sharks, he will be a great addition to the roster in the playoffs.
A steady presence from Connor Ingram
Connor Ingram has taken over the starter position since the Olympic break, and things have looked a lot more settled between the pipes. His numbers have been solid since the break: 0.901 save percentage and a 10–4–1 record in his 15 starts. It feels like the team isn’t chasing games the same way. Ingram is making the saves you expect and coming up with a few big ones when needed. Nothing over the top, just a steady presence in the crease. That’s been a big change for the Oilers.
His path this season hasn’t exactly been straightforward either. He started the year with the Bakersfield Condors so that he could work on his game, coming back to the NHL level. There wasn’t much talk about him at the time, and he had to wait for his opportunity. Shortly after the Stuart Skinner-Tristan Jarry trade, Jarry was placed on injured reserve, and he got called up. He didn’t try to do too much; he just played his game and stuck with it. This earned him more starts and made it tough to send him back to the Condors. This eventually led to him becoming the Oilers full-time starter.
If he keeps this up into the playoffs, it’s going to matter more than people think. Ingram looks calm back there, not scrambling or fighting to cling to leads, and you can see the team settle in because of it. In tight games, that’s huge. He’s not relying on big highlight saves, just making the ones he should and staying consistent. That kind of goaltending doesn’t always stand out, but it’s what teams lean on this time of year. It just gives you a bit more confidence that things aren’t going to unravel off one bad bounce.
Is this the year the Oilers get it done?
When it comes to the playoffs, it’s not just about your star players; it comes down to depth. This year, it feels a bit different with the rest of the lineup stepping up into big roles and making a real impact. These first-year players and deadline adds aren’t just filling minutes. They’re actually helping in real ways. Whether it’s steady goaltending, better depth, or a bit more physicality, it shows up over the course of a series. That’s usually where things get decided.
Over a longer playoff run, those little differences seem to add up fast. Whether it’s on the penalty kill, a big depth goal, or a solid night in net, it all matters. The Oilers don’t look as top-heavy right now, and that makes a difference when games get tight. It gives them a bit more breathing room instead of needing everything to go perfectly every game. If that keeps going this way, this is the kind of group that teams will worry about matching up against.
Is this what the team has been missing in their last two runs?
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