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31 Oilers Questions: Where will Max Jones begin the 2026-27 season?
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 31, 2026, 13:27 EDT
Heading into the 2026-27 season, Oilersnation will ask one question about every Edmonton Oilers player projected to be on the 2026-27 roster in preparation for the upcoming season. From Connor McDavid to Mattias Janmark, let’s ask some questions.
Spots as a regular in the Edmonton Oilers’ bottom six are still up for grabs. Right now, Jason Dickinson is really the only lock for a bottom-six role, as he’s set to centre the third line. With an injury to Matthew Savoie, Kasperi Kapanen is a candidate to play in the top six, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ role is still yet to be defined.
Isaac Howard, Mathieu Joseph, Josh Samanski, Trent Frederic, Quinn Hutson, Colton Dach, Mattias Janmark, and Max Jones are all fighting for just a handful of spots. Last season, Jones was a breath of fresh air in the bottom six, producing well in limited action.
However, the big question regarding the 28-year-old is where he’ll begin the season.
Where will Max Jones begin the 2026-27 season?
Jones was acquired by the Oilers in the Trent Frederic trade ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. He made an immediate impact in his first game, picking up an assist while being one of the most noticeable players on the ice. Jones was quiet after that, going pointless over his next 17 games before scoring in the final game of the season.
Unsurprisingly, Jones was waived ahead of the start of the season, only making his season debut in mid-December. His first stint was brief, scoring a goal and an assist in eight games. The Oilers dealt with a plethora of injuries toward the end of the season, and Jones was recalled for the last 15 games.
Jones only scored two goals and an assist in his next 13 games, but he was easily the most noticeable Oiler in the bottom six. Not only did he chip in offensively, but he brought energy to every shift. Jones also had strong underlying numbers during five-on-five action, playing 174:48 minutes while the Oilers outscored the opposition eight to five, with an expected goal share of 60.5 percent.
The winger will get a chance to impress in pre-season, but will have to outplay players like Joseph, Hutson, Dach, and Janmark. To earn a spot on the roster come the beginning of the season, he’ll need to separate himself from the pack by providing what he did in limited minutes this past season.
Making the roster is one of three potential destinations to begin the year. If he doesn’t make it, the Oilers risk losing him on waivers. A new organization is another potential destination to begin the season, but it’s worth noting he’s cleared waivers the last two seasons.
If he’s not on the roster and not in an organization, Jones will join the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors. Between his NHL stints, the Rochester, Michigan product played 39 games where he scored 10 goals and 18 points. In all likelihood, Jones will begin his season in California, but will certainly get his chances to impress in the NHL and earn a spot in the bottom six.
Other Oilers questions…
- Can Isaac Howard take a step forward like Matthew Savoie did in 2025-26?
- Can Tristan Jarry bounce back in 2026-27?
- Which offseason acquisition will have the greatest impact on the Oilers?
- To trade or keep Spencer Stastney?
- Is winning a Stanley Cup the only way McDavid will re-sign?
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFOEdmonton, DFOCalgary, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on X at @Ryley__Delaney.
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Edmonton OilersTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$102,071,666
$88,322,500
Projected Cap Space
$1,928,334
$25,177,500
Current Cap Space
$1,928,334
$25,177,500
Active Players
22/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'26
'27
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1
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