Oilers Face Tough Decisions as Injured Stars Return

The Edmonton Oilers have opened the 2026-27 season with a 5-0-1 record, winning five consecutive games despite missing several important forwards due to injury. However, their biggest offensive boost is on its way. With Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Matthew Savoie working toward their returns, Edmonton could add a complete second line without making a trade.

For a team already finding success with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing together, the return of those three forwards could significantly change the complexion of the lineup. Rather than breaking up a dominant first line, head coach Mike Babcock could build a legitimate scoring threat behind it while moving several players into more suitable roles. The Oilers have managed to win despite their injuries. But how much better could they become once everyone is healthy?

McDavid, Draisaitl and Podkolzin Should Stay Together

One of Babcock’s biggest decisions will be whether to keep McDavid and Draisaitl together or to separate his two superstars when players return. Based on the early results, there is little reason to change anything.

Vasily Podkolzin, McDavid and Draisaitl have posted an impressive 80.43% expected goals-for percentage at five-on-five through their first five games together. The trio has also outscored opponents 8-0 in just over 53 minutes of shared ice time. Those numbers suggest Edmonton isn’t simply benefiting from fortunate bounces. The line has consistently controlled the quality of scoring opportunities when all three players are on the ice. Podkolzin has been particularly impressive, recording five goals and seven points through his first five games.

His physicality, forechecking and willingness to retrieve pucks complement McDavid and Draisaitl’s creativity. Rather than needing another elite playmaker, the two superstars have a winger who can create space and extend offensive-zone possessions.

McDavid has also enjoyed playing alongside Draisaitl, telling reporters following Tuesday’s victory over the Los Angeles Kings, “It’s been fun. Leon’s one of the best players in the world.” Although the sample size is small, the early results suggest Babcock has found something worth keeping together.

Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Savoie Could Form a Dangerous Second Line

Perhaps the most exciting possibility is building a second line with Savoie on the left wing, Nugent-Hopkins at centre and Hyman on the right. On paper, the combination offers an appealing balance of speed, intelligence, finishing ability and puck retrieval.

Hyman would provide the established scoring presence. The 34-year-old recorded 31 goals and 52 points in 58 games last season and is capable of producing at a high level when healthy. His ability to win battles along the boards and establish position in front of opposing goaltenders would be particularly valuable alongside two skilled playmakers.

Nugent-Hopkins would serve as the line’s offensive distributor and defensive conscience. His versatility has been one of Edmonton’s greatest assets for years, but returning him to centre could help the Oilers maintain offensive pressure when McDavid heads to the bench. There are legitimate questions about whether he is still best suited to playing centre full-time. However, pairing him with two talented wingers could make the transition easier.

Savoie would provide the speed and youthful creativity that could make the combination especially interesting. Rather than asking the young forward to carry an inexperienced line, Edmonton could surround him with two veterans who understand positioning, defensive responsibilities and how to create scoring opportunities. There would be an adjustment period. Savoie is still developing at the NHL level, and neither he nor Nugent-Hopkins has played a regular-season game this year.

Still, the potential is significant. Hyman would give Nugent-Hopkins a reliable target around the crease, while Savoie’s skating and transition ability could create opportunities off the rush. Most importantly, opponents would face a difficult matchup decision. Loading up defensively against McDavid’s line could leave Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman facing less formidable competition. That is precisely the kind of secondary scoring threat Edmonton has been missing during its injury troubles.

Oilers’ Bottom Six Would Become Much Stronger

Adding three forwards doesn’t just improve the second line. It would have a significant effect on the bottom six. Here is what the forward group could look like once everyone returns:

Jason Dickinson moving to the third line would be particularly beneficial. The veteran has been handling second-line responsibilities during Edmonton’s injury troubles, including skating with Filip Hallander and Kasperi Kapanen. Dickinson can contribute offensively, but his defensive awareness and matchup experience make him particularly valuable in a checking role. Pairing him with Isaac Howard and Kapanen would give Edmonton an interesting combination of offensive upside and defensive responsibility.

Howard would be able to develop without being asked to produce like a top-six forward, while Kapanen’s speed could create opportunities in transition. The fourth line would also have a defined identity. Alex Formenton brings speed, Owen Michaels provides a right-handed centre option, and Trent Frederic adds size and physicality. This structure would allow Babcock to deploy his lines according to matchups rather than relying on McDavid and Draisaitl to generate nearly every dangerous opportunity.

Difficult Roster Decisions Are Coming

Of course, getting healthy also creates complications. Edmonton cannot simply add three forwards without making corresponding roster decisions. The projected lineup leaves Mathieu Joseph and Hallander as extra forwards, while players such as Josh Samanski and Max Jones could be assigned to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, Bakersfield Condors, subject to their roster eligibility and waiver requirements. Hallander’s situation is especially interesting because Edmonton recently acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Spencer Stastney.

The Oilers clearly saw value in adding another forward, especially with injuries mounting. Leaving him out of the lineup would not mean the trade was a mistake. Rather, it would demonstrate how quickly Edmonton’s forward depth could change once its injured players return. There are also financial considerations. Hyman carries a $5.5 million cap hit, Nugent-Hopkins earns $5.125 million annually, and Savoie carries an $886,666 cap hit.

Together, those three contracts represent approximately $11.51 million in annual commitment. However, those salaries are not particularly new expenses. The players are already under contract, and Edmonton’s actual cap position will depend on injury designations, LTIR adjustments, corresponding assignments and its full roster.

Savoie has been on long-term injured reserve, meaning his activation will require particular attention to the applicable cap rules. The Oilers will need to make the numbers work, but the potential payoff is a substantially deeper forward group.

Babcock Can Afford to Be Patient With Injured Players

Edmonton’s early success has given Babcock something that struggling teams rarely have when dealing with injuries: time. Hyman was initially expected to return against the Kings on Tuesday, but he remained out of the lineup after failing to receive medical clearance. Babcock provided an encouraging, although cautious, update on his status: “It sounds like it’s day-to-day…It’s really close, but what does that mean?”

With the Oilers continuing to win, there is little reason to rush Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins or Savoie back before they’re ready. The same patience could apply to management’s approach to the trade market. The organization has already addressed some of its forward depth concerns by acquiring Hallander, and the return of three offensive contributors could reduce the need for another immediate move.

Instead of sacrificing additional assets to address temporary injuries, Edmonton should evaluate its healthy lineup before determining whether another addition is necessary.

Oilers Could Become One of the NHL’s Deepest Teams

There is still uncertainty surrounding the return dates of Nugent-Hopkins and Savoie, and neither should be considered an immediate solution until medically cleared. Nevertheless, the Oilers are winning without three forwards who could conceivably form their entire second line. Their top unit has been dominant, their defensive structure has improved, and their depth players have helped keep the team competitive.

Getting Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Savoie back would allow Babcock to keep his best-performing line together while creating another legitimate offensive threat. It would also give Edmonton three potentially effective scoring lines and a fourth line that can contribute defensively and physically. The projected combinations aren’t guaranteed to work, particularly with Savoie still developing and Nugent-Hopkins potentially needing time to regain his form.

But the opportunity is difficult to overlook. For a team already sitting at 5-0-1, adding what amounts to an entire second line could make the Oilers considerably more dangerous than they have looked through their first six games. And perhaps the most encouraging part for Edmonton is that it wouldn’t require another blockbuster trade.