OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA

‘I’m very confident’: Could Colton Dach play centre for the Oilers?

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

By Michael Menzies

Jul 14, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 14, 2026, 19:46 EDT

Comments

Colton Dach is spending the summer taking faceoffs and working on his 200-foot game in preparation for next season.

The Edmonton Oilers figured out Dach’s contract situation over the weekend, agreeing to a two-year pact worth $1.2 million per season for the restricted free agent.

Now that business is taken care of, Dach can look forward to a unique opportunity. The former second-round pick gets to play for the team he cheered for growing up, while looking to impress new head coach Mike Babcock to gain a consistent foothold in the Oilers’ lineup.

A clean slate for the 23-year-old, who showed flashes of being an effective player in the eight regular-season and five playoff games he suited up for Edmonton after being acquired in March, but faced an injury that slowed his momentum.

As fans create theoretical line combinations and depth charts to pass the time in the dog days of summer, Dach could be more versatile than we’ve seen thus far.

“Junior was probably the last time I was a permanent centre, but I played a handful of games this year,” Dach told Jason Gregor on Sports 1440 on Monday. “I’m very confident, very comfortable in both positions. Growing up, that was something my dad always kind of tried to instill: play every position, try to be as versatile as possible.

“We’re working on those this summer, trying to get better with them.”

Sports 1440

@Sports1440

·Follow

Could Colton Dach play center this year?? #LetsGoOilers @OilersNation Presented by @LegacyHCYeg

Watch on X

2:43 AM · Jul 14, 2026

Working below the circles

Then, there’s the offensive side.

He scored five goals and 13 points total last season, but a year before in the AHL had 26 points in 33 games. While not necessarily blessed with the same talent as some of his elite Oiler teammates, there are ways below the dots that he thinks he can generate offence at the NHL level.

“There are always different situations you can put yourself in,” he said. “I’d say for a lot of the skill sessions, it’s a lot of board pickups, rim pickups, and working below the circles. That’s kind of where my offensive game is going to strive.

“You can watch some of Zach Hyman’s shifts as well. One of the things I’ve picked up is how he uses his body to get position on guys. Whether that’s in front of the net or whether it’s protecting the pucks down low. It’s something that’s pretty similar with how Leon does it as well.

“Getting to play with those guys and watch them day in, day out is obviously a privilege. You’ve got to take your time and talk to them, understand it a little bit more, and then apply it to your game.”

There won’t be a ton of in-game opportunity for Oilers players on the bubble to impress their new coach, who Dach said he’s spoken with a couple times so far this summer.

With Josh Samanski finishing the season as the fourth-line centre, plus Mathieu Joseph, Mattias Janmark, Max Jones, Eduards Tralmaks, or even NCAA signing Owen Michaels, competition will key in a limited amount of time.

The NHL’s 84-game schedule will be released on Thursday with a shortened pre-season, down to four games. NHL vets are expected to play only two games on that slate.

“You’re gonna get a little bit of opportunity and to play up in the lineup,” said Dach.

“Maybe some power play time, then obviously you’re gonna get some time working on the PK. It’s going to be good. I’d love to play all four and kind of just get my feet wet and hit the ground running for the start of the season.”

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS

It’s time for a truck that can play in every zone. Which means, it’s time to Toyota! Its standard i-FORCE engine delivers more power than ever and a towing capacity of up to 6,400 lbs. It helps you take on challenging landscapes with confidence with its available Panoramic Multi-Terrain View Monitor that provides a live, underfloor view of the terrain your tackling. It even makes loading and unloading gear effortless with its available Power Liftgate. Whether it’s for early morning practice or weekend away games, the Tacoma is a teammate you can rely on. Visit your local Prairie Toyota dealer today.