The Edmonton Oilers will head to training camp with a roster that’s strong at the top and includes several layers of possible solutions in areas of weakness. There’s also enough walking-around money to be a significant force in any player auction that comes up during the season. Perhaps most importantly, the team could accommodate any position player that pops loose due to a balanced roster.

It’s a unique moment in team history, made possible by the trade of Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks early this summer. Nurse, a capable top-four defenceman, was playing with a contract that kept the organization from optimizing the salary cap. The team spent some of the Nurse money on free agents July 1, but held back a handsome sum ($4.725 million, according to PuckPedia) in hopes an impact player shakes loose.

Impact players and fading veterans in Edmonton

The Oilers have three elite offensive talents. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are brilliant forwards who can make a difference with any set of linemates. If new coach Mike Babcock decides to play them both at centre, Edmonton will once again have the most dominant depth chart at the position in the NHL.

Evan Bouchard is a brilliant puck mover on defence. His splendid work helps the Oilers outscore at five-on-five and deploy a quality power play.

Beyond that, the roster is aging. Here’s a three-year look at the Oilers’ top offensive contributors, using points per 60 at five-on-five to reflect the offensive erosion from feature players on the roster.

Player2023-242024-252025-26

2.63

2.69

2.48

3.5

2.65

2.46

2.53

1.67

1.82

1.66

1.24

1.38

1.93

1.07

0.77

All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick

McDavid and Draisaitl are elite talents who drive possession and scoring success. Draisaitl has been remarkably consistent during these three seasons in five-on-five scoring. The problem for Edmonton comes with the feature wingers on the top two lines. Management brings in solutions annually, but men like Evander Kane, Warren Foegele, Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson and Andrew Mangiapane either got hurt, were ineffective or played so well they priced themselves out of the Oilers’ range.

It has now become a critical area of the roster, as Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins enter their mid-30s and become prone to injury and performance downturns. Management has added some solid options, including Matt Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin. Ike Howard may soon join that group, as he’s poised for his first full NHL season in 2026-27. The Oilers need another. Now.

What’s out there? 

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman and Babcock may prefer a more established player to a youngster like Howard. The club has cap room, some attractive trade pieces and a desire to improve the current roster. This is a team looking to grab the best available player in-season, and is guaranteed to be aggressive in the next several months.

The Oilers need to aim high. The cap room gives the club a chance to add a play driver who can outscore opponents and allow Babcock a top alternative to McDavid and Draisaitl on the road. There are some interesting options.

Dylan Larkin is a fine centre who has aged well (he’s 30) and still provides a range of skills for the Detroit Red Wings. He would be a solid fit for the McDavid-Draisaitl portion of the Oilers roster cluster, but it would behoove Bowman to spend money and assets on a younger player.

There are two of note.

Cutter Gauthier and the Anaheim Ducks haven’t agreed on a deal, and time is tight as training camp gets closer. A recent fan survey at The Athletic produced some interesting options. Eric Stephens walked through the trade options, including Frank Vatrano, Chris Kreider and Alex Killorn all popular suggestions from Ducks fans.

For the Oilers, bringing in high-priced veterans is no longer a viable option. The team needs an impact player, and needs that player to deliver guaranteed production for the next five seasons (or more). In Anaheim, that player is Gauthier.

Kirill Marchenko of the Columbus Blue Jackets is another impact player who has his peak seasons ahead of him. At 26, he has four seasons of 20-plus goals in the NHL on his resume. On a line with McDavid or Draisaitl, his career high in goals (31) could be eclipsed by the All-Star break. Marchenko has a contract for this season, but is restricted for just one more season before reaching full free agency. The Oilers should be aggressive despite the contract risk. The Russian is an established winger who could increase his value with a strong season in Edmonton.

At what cost?

Larkin would only continue the roster aging in Edmonton, so Bowman should pass on the opportunity.

Gauthier scored 41 goals last season and has an enormous future. The price would be dear, and Bowman may not have the assets. It’s still worth a try. Savoie, Howard and a high draft pick is the outer marker offer for the Oilers, and another NHL team could exceed that package if it comes to it. The estimated contract for Gauthier (it’s going to be a monster) would require the Oilers to deal away a substantial roster player to make it work.

Marchenko should be the target. He’s signed for next season at $3.85 million, is a speedster (93rd percentile max speed, according to NHL Edge) and a season in Edmonton should increase his value (and next contract). If he flourishes with the Oilers, a long-term deal could result and benefit both player and team. Edmonton might be able to find a satisfactory package for the Blue Jackets.

The Oilers might need to offload a big contract (Hyman and goalie Tristan Jarry both have modified no-trade deals) next summer if Marchenko is open to signing with the team. It’s exactly the kind of maneuvre Oilers management should be contemplating right now.

Bottom line

The Oilers are in prime position to add over the next several months. Ideally, that addition is age 22-26 and could join Bouchard as the impact players in that age group. There are painful decisions ahead for this organization, and that may include offloading valued players who have delivered at high levels over many seasons.

The organization has money, assets and a major need. Players always shake loose early in the season, around the trade deadline and in the summer. Bowman is in a terrific spot currently. He can add an impact player, someone who can push the river and give opponents another elite player to worry over when playing the Oilers.

Bowman must choose wisely. Currently, Marchenko is the play.