Diana: Who is the real number one center in Edmonton? Is it Draisaitl, McDavid, or someone new stepping up from the depth chart? We are breaking down every position battle on this roster right now.
Diana: This is the Beatline Podcast Network, and I’m Diana. Welcome to another daily episode of Beatline NHL, where we live for the game. I’m here with Adam, who has been digging into the files all morning.
Adam: Good morning, Diana. It is good to be back. The preseason is looming, and the competition for ice time is already heating up behind the scenes.
Diana: Today we are tackling the big roster battles. First, we look at the most critical matchup on the team: the starting goaltender spot between Frederik Andersen and Connor Ingram. Second, we dive into the crowded center group and who wins the bottom-six roles. And third, we predict which players are trending up and who might be headed to the minors before the season even starts.
Adam: It is a fascinating time. You have veterans like Mattias Ekholm and Leon Draisaitl anchoring the core, but the edges are where the action is this year. Let’s get into it.
Diana: Let’s start with the crease. In our last two episodes, we’ve talked about the Darnell Nurse trade and how it reshaped the blue line, but we haven’t fully settled the goalie debate. Frederik Andersen signed a one-year deal, and he’s thirty-six years old. He helped the Hurricanes win three playoff series last year before giving the starter’s net up to Brandon Bussi in the Stanley Cup Final. That is a resume that commands respect. But then you have Connor Ingram, who has been here. Who starts against the Vancouver Canucks on September 30th?
Adam: If we are being strictly tactical, Andersen brings a level of poise and experience that Ingram hasn't quite matched in high-leverage moments yet. Andersen stopped in his tracks when he played in those deep playoff runs. He knows how to manage a penalty kill and how to read the neutral zone play better than most. However, Ingram has the familiarity with the system. The question is: does the coaching staff want stability or development?
Diana: Right, but remember our prediction from Tuesday? We said Andersen would start the opener. Do you still stand by that, given that he is older and coming off a heavy playoff load with Carolina?
Adam: I do. Here is why. When you look at zone entries against top teams like Vancouver, you need a goalie who can handle the pressure without panicking. Andersen’s positioning is elite. Ingram tends to go a little bit more aggressive, which can leave gaps if the forecheck is too tight. For a home opener, especially with the expectation that they finish second in the Pacific again, you want the veteran presence. He anchors the team psychologically just as much as physically.
Diana: So, Andersen gets the nod. What happens after that? Tristan Jarry is still on the roster, along with Devon Levi and Connor Ungar. Does Jarry have any say in this anymore?
Adam: Jarry is in a weird spot. He was part of the previous structure. With Andersen signed and Ingram pushing hard, Jarry becomes the long-term insurance policy unless he demands a move. But realistically, if Andersen struggles early, Ingram is the immediate call-up because he is younger and fresher. Jarry might find himself watching from the press box or dealing with an injury rehab stint. It’s a tough position for him.
Diana: That is a harsh reality for Jarry fans. But looking ahead, if Andersen plays well, does that lock him in for the whole season? Or do you see splits?
Adam: I think you will see splits, but heavily weighted toward Andersen. Maybe 65-70 percent starts for Fred. The key is managing his workload. He isn't twenty-five anymore. You don't want him burning out in February. Ingram needs to be ready to step in for back-to-backs or road trips where the travel fatigue sets in. It’s about smart management, not just ability.
Diana: Smart management. I like that. So, Andersen is the guy to beat. Let’s move to the ice. We have a massive battle in the middle. Leon Draisaitl had some top moments last season, obviously, and Connor McDavid is Connor McDavid. But who wins the other spots? We have Jason Dickinson, Adam Henrique, Colton Dach, Trent Frederic, Matt Savoie, Owen Michaels, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mattias Janmark, Curtis Lazar, and Josh Samanski. That is twelve centers on the roster. Who makes the final cut?
Adam: Twelve centers. That is a lot of bodies. You have to trim that down to maybe six or seven for the opening night roster. The hierarchy is clear at the top: McDavid and Draisaitl are your first line. Nugent-Hopkins is firmly your second-line center. He provides that two-way stability. The battle is for the third and fourth lines.
Diana: Okay, so Nuge is locked in. Who is fighting for that third-line role? Adam Henrique vs. Jason Dickinson?
Adam: Henrique is the safer bet for a regular role. He understands the power play structure and the penalty kill. Dickinson is a great defensive forward, but sometimes he lacks the offensive upside to keep a full-time NHL job if the team needs scoring. However, Dickinson might win the fourth-line spot because of his faceoff percentage and physicality. He can shut down opposing top lines.
Diana: What about the young guns? Colton Dach and Matt Savoie. Are they in the mix, or are they playing in the AHL?
Adam: Savoie has the skill, but he needs more consistency. Dach is raw. Unless one of them explodes in the preseason, I expect both to start in the minors. They are depth pieces, not opening night regulars. Trent Frederic is interesting though. He brings energy and toughness. If the team needs grit, Frederic slides in as a fourth-line grinder.
Diana: Frederic sounds like the perfect fit for that fourth line. What about the wings? We have Zach Hyman, Max Jones, Quinn Hutson, Mathieu Joseph, Kasperi Kapanen, Vasily Podkolzin, David Tomasek, and Eduards Tralmaks. That is eight wingers. Who loses their spot?
Adam: Hyman is untouchable. He is a goal-scoring machine. The battle is for the remaining four spots. Max Jones is a physical presence, similar to Frederic but on the wing. He could win a role. Kapanen is a skilled player who can score, so he is likely in. The danger zone is for the eighth spot. Podkolzin has size, but he has struggled with consistency. Tomasek and Tralmaks are overseas prospects. I think Podkolzin fights for the seventh spot, but if he doesn't show in camp, one of the younger guys might push him out.
Diana: So, Hyman, Kapanen, Jones, and Podkolzin make the initial cut? What about Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm on defense? We know they are starters after the Nurse trade. Who are the third-pairing candidates?
Adam: Bouchard and Ekholm are locks. The acquisition of Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp from San Jose adds interesting options. Mukhamadullin is a stay-at-home defenseman, which complements Bouchard’s offensive style perfectly. Sharp is a younger guy with upside. I think Jake Walman and Ty Emberson are in the mix for the third pairing. Walman has experience, and Emberson brings speed. Spencer Stastney and Connor Murphy are competing for the seventh defenseman spot.
Diana: Walman vs. Stastney for the seventh spot. That seems like a close call. Walman has been here longer. Does that give him the edge?
Adam: Likely, yes. Familiarity with the system is huge. Stastney is talented, but if he makes mistakes in the defensive zone, it costs the team goals. Walman knows the assignments. I’d lean towards Walman making the team, unless Stastney dominates the preseason.
Diana: Okay, so we have a pretty clear picture of the top nine forwards and the top four defensemen. The rest are fighting for scraps. This is where the roster cuts happen. Who is trending up and who is trending down based on what we’ve seen?
Adam: Trending up: Frederik Andersen. His signing was a masterstroke. He brings stability. Also, Shakir Mukhamadullin. Getting a puck-moving defenseman who can kill penalties is exactly what this team needed after trading Nurse. He fits the system perfectly.
Diana: And trending down? Who should be worried?
Adam: Tristan Jarry. As I said, his path is blocked. Also, any winger who doesn’t show scoring touch in camp. The Oilers need goals. If you can’t score, you’re on the bubble. Vasily Podkolzin needs to prove he can contribute offensively, or he’s in trouble.
Diana: Final predictions. Who makes the final roster? I’ll say: Goalies: Andersen, Ingram, Jarry (as insurance). Defense: Bouchard, Ekholm, Mukhamadullin, Walman, Emberson, Stastney, Sharp. Forwards: McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, Henrique, Dickinson, Frederic, Hyman, Kapanen, Jones, Podkolzin. That leaves out Savoie, Dach, Tomasek, Tralmaks, and Murphy.
Adam: I agree with most of that. I might swap Stastney for Murphy if they want more size, but Stastney’s skill might be too valuable to risk. Overall, solid list. The Oilers are shaping up to be a dangerous team. Finishing second in the Pacific is the floor. Playoffs are the ceiling.
Diana: Before we go, I want to ask for your help. Our show is free, with no ads and no paywall — listener support is what protects that. Please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description to keep us going.
Diana: Thanks for listening! We covered the goalie battle, the center depth chart, and our final roster predictions. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this with a fellow Oilers fan!
Adam: See you tomorrow. Go Oilers.