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The Oilers are playing a man short in 11-7 if they don’t give Alec Regula shifts
Dec 11, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Alec Regula (75) chases the puck with Detroit Red Wings right winger Jonatan Berggren (48) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Jan 21, 2026, 16:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 21, 2026, 17:19 EST
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There are just 11 forwards at Edmonton Oilers’ head coach Kris Knoblauch’s disposal, but there are 18 available bodies. 
Running 11 forwards and seven defencemen on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils got the Oilers into a bind. Vasily Podkolzin missed 17 minutes due to “instigating” and misconduct for jumping to Connor McDavid’s defence, meaning that for most of the second period, Edmonton had just 10 forwards to play with. 
There’s no replacing Leon Draisaitl when he’s gone, and Kasperi Kapanen quickly moulded into top-six form before he went down. Their absences were especially noticeable in the second period, and despite a dominating third period, they lost 2-1.
Looking at the ice-times after the game, seventh defenceman Alec Regula played a whole two minutes and 35 seconds on the night. 
So really, the Oilers were playing 11-6, and for a third of the game were playing 10-6. 
At this important juncture of the season, can the Oilers afford to play undermanned for any longer? 

Regula at forward?

At practice on Wednesday morning, Alec Regula skated as a forward with Trent Frederic and Vasily Podkolzin. 
Jason Gregor pointed out that he’s acting as a “placeholder” in that forward spot, but after watching a very winnable game slip between the Oilers fingers, Knoblauch needs to be creative. 
There doesn’t seem to be any appetite to help the forward situation by deciding on Calvin Pickard, which would solve this issue. The Oilers can’t call up a forward unless they waive Pickard. 
Situations like last night’s game illustrate why it can be costly. It doesn’t take much during the game – whether it be injury or penalties – and you’re playing severely undermanned, especially when the seventh defenceman isn’t taking a shift. 
Is skating Regula on a wing for a couple of minutes that bad? 
I don’t think so. 
He’s played 51 NHL games, granted, and there’s been growing pains this season. He’s the seventh defenceman for a reason at the moment and under ideal circumstances, would fill into the lineup occasionally. 
But when you’re playing with a short deck, you have to play the cards you have in your hand. Spreading the load every so much with a couple more minutes can help. 
Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft loved using 11-7. Knoblauch doesn’t strike me as someone who likes that structure nearly as much, finding perhaps the seventh defenceman a nuisance.
Leon Draisaitl is expected back “later this week,” likely Saturday, and Kasperi Kapanen likely won’t miss more than two more games. Provided there are no more forward injuries, then Knoblauch will have a complement of 13 forwards again. 
Since you’re being forced into it, why not skate Regula at wing for a few shifts, especially if he’s not getting anywhere near a regular shift on the blu eline. The Oilers need to grit their teeth through this all-hands-on-deck scenario. 
It seems a better strategy than having him rot on the bench for the entire game.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and has been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, he also collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues.

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