NHL teams need as many “guys” in their lineup as they can get. The more guys, the better the chance of winning Lord Stanley’s Cup. These players are key parts of the team, making important contributions in ways that the star players don’t. How many guys do the Edmonton Oilers have at the start of this season? Let’s take a look.

Obviously, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard are key guys. No explanation required. After that, there is some debate.

Zach Hyman. I would argue that the top-line left winger is the next guy on the list. Hyman is the definition of a guy. Look it up in the hockey bible, and his face will be staring back at you. He scores goals and is one of the best forwards in the league at getting to the net. No. 18 also hits everything in sight and never takes a shift off. Another benefit of his play is the way he inspires his teammates. Hyman is a warrior and drags everyone along with him. He only played 58 games last year and is likely to produce a lot more than 31 goals riding shotgun with McDavid for a full season.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. No. 93 is a well-loved player in Oil Country for good reason. First, the loyal soldier has spent his entire career in the Oiler uniform. Second, he is a responsible player with a diverse set of skills. It’s very useful to have a two-way player who can play wing or centre. Nugent-Hopkins still put up a decent 56 points in 72 games in 2025-26.

Vasily Podkolzin. No. 92 hasn’t been with Edmonton for long, but he’s won over many fans. Podkolzin simply scores, hits, fights, and keeps plays alive. The word is every teammate wants to play with him. He had a career year last season with 19 goals and 37 points. Podkolzin also had 63 penalty minutes, the most among Oilers forwards. The Russian winger has been training hard all summer and is likely to remain on Draisaitl’s line.

Mattias Ekholm. Bouchard’s usual partner has made a big impact since the Oilers traded for him. He is a heart-and-soul player who defends well and brings size to the blueline. It’s also no coincidence that Bouchard’s emergence as an elite defenceman happened after Ekholm was paired with him. The Swede also has more offence than most people realize, with a solid 35 assists last year.

Jason Dickinson. Our initial viewing of the stoic centre has been impressive. Dickinson immediately became a guy. The former Chicago Blackhawk is a reliable, checking third-line centre. How long have the Oilers needed this kind of player? Maybe since Michael Peca. Dickinson doesn’t usually provide much offence, but that isn’t why he’s on the team.

Connor Murphy. Another player who became a guy in record time is the outgoing American. The new No. 5 is an abrasive, stay-at-home defenceman. He is difficult to play against and will protect his teammates. I can’t wait to see him play an entire season for Edmonton. As part of a skilled, puck-moving defence, Murphy’s size and aggressiveness provide balance.

Trent Frederic. What a great story it would be if No. 10 could regain his mojo. The rugged forward arrived from the Bruins with a bad ankle and hasn’t been the same player. Frederic only had four goals and three assists in 74 games last season. It couldn’t have gone worse.

He’ll have a new lease on life with Babcock, and he might be able to contribute more. His aggressive playing style should fit in with the team’s new identity. If he plays to his potential, he could become one of Babcock’s most valuable guys.

Frederik Andersen. The 36-year-old just won a Stanley Cup and will be a key piece if the Oilers are to go back to the final. Andersen is very experienced and played for Mike Babcock before in Toronto. Last season, the Danish goaltender had a 3.05 GAA and a .874 save percentage in 35 regular-season games. But those numbers improved drastically during the successful Cup run. Andersen had a 13-2 record with a 1.89 GAA and .910 save percentage. He has the chance to become a guy and lead Edmonton to the promised land.

Matthew Savoie. He had a breakout year last season. The young winger found a home on the second line with Draisaitl. Savoie had 18 goals and 19 assists playing wing with one of the best centres in the league. These totals came without time on the first power play unit, so his ceiling is high. The young Oiler has also shown a gritty edge and doesn’t back down to much larger players. He, along with Andersen, will miss training camp and some of October, so they’ll be a bit behind the eight ball when they get rolling.

Jake Walman. Similar to Frederic, No. 96 had a down year. When he arrived, Walman appeared destined to become a guy. Now questions have been raised: did the Oilers lock up the defenceman too soon on a long-term contract? I don’t think so; he skates well, and he has a big shot. It’s time to be patient and let him find his game. In an injury-shortened season, the Toronto native only put up 20 points in 53 games. If Walman can stay healthy and get more engaged, he can contribute.

Kaspari Kapanen. If the speedy winger could stay healthy, he’d be a guy already. He’s a great forechecker who loves to throw his sizeable frame around. Kapanen also has a scoring touch and could find himself back in the top-six again. In 2025-26, he had 17 points in 41 games, so there is potential there. His best seasons came under the guidance of Babcock; therefore, the coaching change could be well-timed for the Finn.

Ryan Shea. The 29-year-old defenceman made huge strides last year with the Pittsburgh Penguins. If he can continue that form, he’ll be a guy in no time. Shea is a good skater, has offensive abilities, decent size, and is a good penalty killer. Last season he put up six goals and 29 assists in 80 games. He has a chance to be a part of a dynamic group of defencemen.

Could other players become guys? The more Edmonton has, the more likely a sixth Cup will be paraded through the streets.