The Edmonton Oilers face a familiar yet critical challenge as the 2025-26 NHL season unfolds: they must find a new top-six winger who can succeed in a role that has proven notoriously difficult to fill. The success of their campaign hinges on this acquisition, provided their goaltending is stable, as it addresses the team's most glaring weakness—the vast performance chasm between their elite top lines and their struggling depth forwards.
The Stark Statistical Divide
The numbers paint a clear and troubling picture. When either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl is on the ice at even strength, the Oilers have outscored opponents 73 to 63. However, when neither superstar is deployed, the team's fortunes plummet dramatically, having been outscored 24 to 50. This disparity underscores a depth issue that has plagued the organization for years and must be resolved for any serious championship aspiration.
A History of Missed Opportunities
Identifying a winger capable of thriving alongside McDavid or Draisaitl is a formidable task, despite promising prospects like Quinn Hutson, Isaac Howard, and Matt Savoie in the system. Jack Roslovic has recently emerged as a rare success story, securing a spot on Draisaitl's wing with his blend of skating, passing, and shooting skill. His breakthrough is notable given the historical difficulty of the assignment.
Over the 10.5 years of the McDavid-Draisaitl era, the Oilers have introduced approximately 29 forwards via draft, trade, or free agency with the hope they would stick on a line with one of the two superstars. The list of those who have tried and largely failed is long, including Milan Lucic, Ryan Strome, Jesse Puljujarvi, Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and Andrew Mangiapane.
The Few Who Have Succeeded
Only a select group has truly excelled in the coveted role. The shortlist of successes includes Patrick Maroon, Kailer Yamamoto (for a period), Evander Kane (for a period), Zach Hyman, Dylan Holloway during the 2024 playoffs, and now Jack Roslovic. Three others—Zack Kassian, Corey Perry, and Vasily Podkolzin—also performed well, though they were not initially acquired with top-line expectations.
A common trait among those who thrive is immediate chemistry. Successful wingers typically click with McDavid or Draisaitl almost instantly, a sign the Oilers must watch for as they evaluate current candidates.
The Urgent Need for a Solution
The urgency for another winger to step up cannot be overstated. The need is immediate. Securing a reliable top-six forward accomplishes two vital goals: it keeps McDavid and Draisaitl operating at their peak levels, and it simultaneously allows the team to construct a functional and competitive third line. Building that necessary depth is a desperate requirement for a club with Stanley Cup ambitions.
Coach Kris Knoblauch is expected to maintain the Roslovic-Draisaitl pairing given its recent productivity. However, the search continues for one more player who can defy the odds and become the latest solution to one of the Oilers' most persistent roster puzzles. The clock is ticking on Edmonton's season, and the answer may very well determine how deep into the spring they will play.
