This is a list of ‘certain’ Oilers in September 2015. We were waiting for the backup goaltender, the fourth-line RW and one or two extra forwards. It didn’t work out as planned, with Peter Chiarelli forcing the issue in a couple of areas and Todd McLellan waiting for the opportunity to reset the roster. Here are the lines and pairings for opening night 2015:
- Taylor Hall-Connor McDavid-Anton Slepyshev
- Benoit Pouliot-Nuge-Teddy Purcell
- Lauri Korpiksoki-Anton Lander-Nail Yakupov
- Luke Gazdic-Mark Letestu-Matt Hendricks
- Andrej Sekera-Mark Fayne
- Oscar Klefbom-Justin Schultz
- Griffin Reinhart-Eric Gryba
- Cam Talbot (Anders Nilsson)
- Not dressed: Andrew Ference, Rob Klinkhammer, Brandon Davidson
As you can see, quite a few things changed in the final couple of weeks leading up to the start of the season. Now, this year’s team has fewer holes than the 2015 team, but when we say “Matt Savoie is a lock for the second line” or “there’s no chance Ike Howard makes this team” it’s important to remember there are many events to come once training camp starts. So, with that in mind, here are my ‘certain’ Oilers for 2025-26 opening night:
Center: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Adam Henrique
Wingers: Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Trent Frederic, Andrew Mangiapane, Vasily Podkolzin, Kasperi Kapanen
Defense: Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Jake Walman, Brett Kulak
Goalies: Stuart Skinner, Calvin Pickard
That’s 16 of 23, although many of us believe the team will carry 22. What does that mean? Well, there’s more uncertainty than normal for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. And you know what else? I’m not sure Skinner and Pickard are ‘certain’ Oilers at this time. Hold on to your ass!
On the Lowdown today, we’ll talk to Kevin McCurdy about the ‘certain’ Oilers and what may come between now and October skies. Noon to 2pm today, Sports 1440.
I have two articles at The Athletic you may be interested in. The first is about Ike Howard comparables and the second details training camp stories over the last decade. I hope you enjoy them!
New for The Athletic: Oilers last 10 training camps were wild and crazy. Your blood pressure may rise, but this trip through the past is anything but boring.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6536956/2025/08/06/edmonton-oilers-training-camp-stories/
Savoie is certain. You can book it
What goes along with certainties are intriguing possibilities. And there’re plenty of them around thank goodness. Savoie, Howard, Tomasek, Lazar, Philp, Jones, Hamblin, JANMARK, Jarventie, Emberson, Stecher, Leppanen, Regula and the biggest one for me is Samuel Jonsson. And there may be even more to come. And some I haven’t even mentioned.
Its important to note Mattias Jamark not in the certain category and I think that really is true.
It was an off the cuff statement by Stauff a few weeks back – I think he was talking PK with Stuart (but it could have been another player) and Stauff mentioned Janmark and then immediately said “well, the Oilers will need to do something with the cap. It was notable, to me.
Given the almost blind trust Janmark got last season, I still find it a bit tough to think that they might waive him (there would still be a near $300K cap hit when assigned after he clears) but hopefully they can find a way to move that contract.
Nothing against Janny but his skill-set is replaced by league min players already in the org – at least for me.
Those league minimum players are a simple bear necessity.
I still wonder if Henrique agrees to a trade prior to the season. He gave it a shot but isn’t performing at the standard required with this team.
That’s interesting, now is that the team’s standard or is it just yours.