Diana: Connor Ingram just dropped a bombshell. At twenty-nine years old, the Oilers’ goaltender is retiring from hockey right now. That changes everything for Edmonton’s netminder situation before a single puck drops in October.
Adam: It really does. We talked about the depth chart yesterday, but today we are looking at the actual battles that will define the opening night roster. Who starts? Who makes the team?
Diana: Welcome to Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Diana, and this is your daily Oilers deep dive. Joining me as always is Adam. Adam, you ready to break down the battles?
Adam: Born ready. It’s September thirteenth, training camps are heating up, and the Oilers have some serious questions to answer in three key areas.
Diana: Here is what we are tackling today. First, the immediate aftermath of Connor Ingram’s retirement announcement and who steps into that crease. Second, the center ice logjam with ten names on the list, including new faces. And third, where Alex Formenton fits after his signing. Let’s get into it.
Adam: Let’s start with the big news. Connor Ingram says he is retiring from hockey at age twenty-nine. That is sudden. That is impactful. We knew there was competition, but now the hierarchy has shifted overnight.
Diana: It’s a shocker for sure. So, looking at the current roster, we have Frederik Andersen, Tristan Jarry, Devon Levi, and Connor Ungar. If Ingram is out, who is the starter?
Adam: I think we need to look at experience first. Frederik Andersen is the veteran presence here. He’s been through wars. But then you have Tristan Jarry, who we discussed in our mailbag episode yesterday. Jarry has shown flashes of elite potential when healthy.
Diana: Right, and remember, our prediction from Tuesday was that Tristan Jarry would win the starting job. Do you still stand by that given Andersen’s name recognition?
Adam: I do. Andersen is thirty-six. His legs might not be what they were during his Cup run. Jarry is younger, hungry, and if he can replicate the form we saw in bursts last season, he takes the No. 1 spot. Devon Levi and Connor Ungar are there for development and insurance.
Diana: So Jarry gets the nod, Andersen provides stability in relief, and the young guys fight for the fourth spot or call-ups. It’s a strong group on paper, even without Ingram.
Adam: Exactly. The question becomes: can Jarry stay healthy? If he is, he is the best option for the long haul. If not, Andersen is the safe pair of hands to carry them through the grind.
Diana: Before we move on to the forwards, I want to take a quick second. This show is made possible by fans like you who love the game as much as we do. Your support keeps these daily breakdowns free and accessible for everyone.
Adam: If you’ve enjoyed our analysis on the roster battles and the playoff predictions, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It helps us keep the lights on and the coffee brewing.
Diana: We appreciate every bit of help. Now, let’s get back to those forward lines. The center position is stacked.
Adam: Stacked is an understatement. We have Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zack Kassian... wait, no Kassian. We have Colton Dach, Jason Dickinson, Trent Frederic, Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, Curtis Lazar, Owen Michaels, Josh Samanski, and Matt Savoie.
Diana: Okay, hold on. Ten centers. That is a lot of bodies fighting for four or five spots. Who is going to make the cut?
Adam: McDavid and Draisaitl are locks. Nuge is likely locked in too, unless they want to move him to wing to accommodate someone else. But the bottom six is a bloodbath. Trent Frederic brings grit. Adam Henrique brings wisdom.
Diana: Frederic has energy, for sure. But what about Colton Dach? He has high-end skill. Does he beat out Dickinson for a line spot?
Adam: Dach needs to prove he can play two-way hockey consistently. Dickinson is a reliable defensive forward. In the regular season, reliability often beats raw skill on the fourth line. I see Dickinson, Janmark, and maybe one of the younger guys like Michaels or Savoie making the team.
Diana: And what about Alex Formenton? He signed with the Oilers and became the third player acquitted in the Hockey Canada case to receive an NHL contract since the trial ended in July 2025. Where does he fit?
Adam: Formenton is listed as a Left Wing here. Our prediction from yesterday was that he would secure a permanent spot on the third or fourth line as a two-way winger. I still believe that. He has speed, he forechecks hard, and he fits the system.
Diana: He could push Zach Hyman for time, though Hyman is a goal-scoring machine. Formenton probably slots in behind Hyman and Max Jones on the left side.
Adam: Exactly. Hyman is the primary scoring threat on that wing. Formenton adds pace and pressure. It’s a good complement. The real battle is between Formenton, Quinn Hutson, Mathieu Joseph, Kasperi Kapanen, Vasily Podkolzin, David Tomasek, and Eduards Tralmaks for the remaining wing spots.
Diana: That is seven wingers for maybe two or three spots. Tough luck for some of those guys. Podkolzin has size, but does he have the offensive touch?
Adam: Podkolzin is a project. Joseph has shot and skill. I think Joseph and Kapanen are the favorites based on past performance, but Formenton’s recent addition gives him a leg up due to the team’s specific need for forechecking.
Diana: Let’s talk defense. With Darnell Nurse gone, the blue line looks different. We have Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Ty Emberson, Connor Murphy, Ryan Shea, Spencer Stastney, and Jake Walman.
Adam: Bouchard and Ekholm are the anchors. They are playing ninety minutes combined. The battle is for the other four spots. Ty Emberson and Connor Murphy seem like the most likely candidates for the top four.
Diana: Murphy is physical. Emberson is mobile. What about Jake Walman? He brought something special last year.
Adam: Walman is dangerous offensively. If he can stay out of the penalty box, he should be in the mix. Shea and Stastney are likely competing for the seventh spot or conditioning stints.
Diana: So, final roster prediction. Andersen/Jarry/Levi in net. Bouchard/Ekholm/Murphy/Walman on defense. McDavid/Draisaitl/Nuge/Frederic on center. Hyman/Formenton/Joseph on wing.
Adam: That’s a solid lineup. It’s aggressive. It leans on youth and skill. I think we’ll see adjustments in October, but this is how I see it heading into camp.
Diana: Incredible breakdown, Adam. We covered the goaltending shift after Ingram’s retirement, the center ice logjam, and Formenton’s role. It’s going to be an exciting preseason.
Adam: Agreed. Keep an eye on Jarry. If he stays hot, the Oilers have a legitimate chance to advance at least two rounds, as we predicted earlier this week.
Diana: Thanks for listening to Beatline. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Oilers fan.
Adam: Go Oilers. See you tomorrow.