Oilers’ layered approach to offseason creates options, some roster uncertainty

The Edmonton Oilers secured significant cap room on July 1 when dealing Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks. In one fell swoop, the team gained the kind of cap freedom it hasn’t had since the beginning of the decade.

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman used the room to acquire two goaltenders and two left defencemen, plus a few other pieces. The bottom line: Edmonton has 22 of 23 roster spots filled, has a restricted free agent outstanding (Colton Dach) and almost $6 million in cap room that can be used between now and the trade deadline.

Fans continue to be in a state of delirium one week after the July 1 settling of all roster business, but the nature of Bowman’s moves will mean some passing and some failing grades over next season. One of the goalies will win the starter’s role, and someone on defence is going to emerge as the winner in a crowded race for the second-pairing role that is available. There’s also a muddle on the fourth line.

After a week of looking at the moves, it is clear this roster is not yet complete. Here’s a look at some possible roster battles and some solutions that could come in training camp or via trade.

Second pairing 

Ryan Shea versus Jake Walman: Last season, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Shea averaged 4:39 against elites at five-on-five. It was up over one minute from 2024-25, and Shea had a 55 percent goal share and possession numbers that were above average relative to his teammates. In Edmonton, Walman played 5:16 per game against elites, delivering a 45 percent goal share and a possession number (relative to teammates) that was well off the pace (-10.6 percent DFF rel).

Based on last season’s depth chart and salary commitment, Walman would seem to be the likely choice, but Shea brings a great deal of effectiveness defensively. The roster battle may come down to which of the two men performs best with right-handed defenceman Connor Murphy.

The goalies

Devon Levi versus Tristan Jarry versus Frederik Andersen: Levi has a clear path to winning the NHL starter’s job, but it’s unlikely to arrive this season. Long term, with only two aging veterans with injury issues in his way, Levi is in a terrific position. The organization can bring him along at pace and rest the veterans for the postseason. The odds of Andersen and Jarry staying healthy all year long are not high, so the three-pronged goalie system might be Levi plus the healthy older goaltender this season. If forced into postseason action, Levi has performed well. He owns a .917 save percentage over the last three AHL playoff springs, in a total of 16 games. The roster battle will be solved by performance and health, with Levi receiving an enormous opportunity.

Fourth-line wingers

Mathieu Joseph versus Mattias Janmark: Joseph was signed by Bowman (always an advantage), can play either wing, skates well, is a strong penalty-killing option and at $1 million AAV, he’s an ideal fit. In many ways, he duplicates Janmark, and the organization could run both on the fourth line for penalty-killing purposes. Joseph’s max speed (77th percentile) is an exact match for Janmark, and both are complementary offensive contributors on the depth lines. Joseph would have the edge if there is a roster crunch on the fourth line, and if Bowman acquires a right-handed centre, that could force the issue.

Third pairing

Shakir Mukhamadullin versus Spencer Stastney versus Ty Emberson: One of Shea or Walman will play on the third pairing, and that means there’s a three-way battle for the final spot in the starting lineup. Emberson is the only righty, so his spot on the roster would seem to be the strongest. Mukhamadullin can play either side and is an excellent skater. Stastney is solid on the penalty kill, but his possession numbers in Edmonton after he came over from the Nashville Predators were not strong. The most likely scenario has Mukhamadullin and Emberson sharing the right side, with Walman or Shea on the left side. Stastney is a candidate for trade before the season begins.

Fourth-line centre

Josh Samanski versus Owen Michaels: If the Oilers run Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Jason Dickinson up the middle, the fourth-line centre battle may come down to two unproven prospects. Samanski showed well last season in a small audition with the Oilers, and Michaels is being heralded as a real option in the middle, although it would be a surprise if he won a job out of training camp. Bowman could sign Curtis Lazar for the role, but the team is already close to maxed out for roster spots. If neither man wins the job in preseason, the club has several wingers (notably Trent Frederic) who could step in and play the role. Safe to say the fourth-line centre position is fluid at this time.

As things stand

The more one looks at the Oilers’ roster, the more obvious it becomes that there is some imbalance.

Bowman has mentioned several times this offseason that the club is looking at adding a skill forward for the top two lines. Does that mean the plan is to have McDavid and Draisaitl play on the top line full time? Or does the plan involve a skill winger? Where does that put top prospect Ike Howard?

The defence has too many options, and there are players in the minors who might come to camp and push for work. Damien Carfagna and Josh Brown are two possible options. Does management package two current roster defencemen in a trade and acquire a more substantial option?

Finally, the team needs a more veteran option for No. 4 centre, even if it only creates more competition during training camp. Unless Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the option at No. 3 centre (placing Dickinson on the fourth line), it’s possible we see an additional centre added to the team before training camp.

As wild as this season has been, there could be more surprises before fall. Look for a tweak on defence, more clarity at centre and possibly another top-six forward. What a time for Bowman to have $6 million in cap room.