As we approach the halfway point of the NHL season, the Edmonton Oilers have yet to address areas of weakness in a year of struggle. There are reasons why general manager Stan Bowman has kept his powder dry, including a desire to see the projected lineup fully healthy and performing at expected levels.

The return of winger Zach Hyman in mid-November signalled what could reasonably be called the final evaluation period for the roster before deadline moves are made. We are now approaching one month since his return, and it’s a good time to look at successes, worries and options.

Hyman is a key player for this Oilers team, as management has a significant list of possible holes to fill. All of the solutions come at a dear cost. Players like Hyman, through strong performances, can ease the pressure on the club as the trade deadline approaches. Here is a state-of-the-roster look at several key players and positions.

The No. 1 line

Hyman is Connor McDavid’s primary winger going back to the 2021-22 season. The line has been outscoring since Hyman returned (five-on-five goal share 56 percent), but was scoring just 2.23 goals per 60 before Thursday night’s game versus the Detroit Red Wings. Combining the previous three full seasons, McDavid-Hyman averaged 4.5 goals per 60 and a 63 percent goal share. That’s a large fall, but a small sample this season (134 minutes entering the Red Wings game).

Against Detroit, Hyman scored three on a big night for the McDavid line (eight points for the trio, including all game states). Hyman is rounding into form as an offensive player at five-on-five, the most important game state.

YearGoals-60Points-60

2021-22

1.04

1.97

2022-23

0.75

2.37

2023-24

1.75

2.53

2024-25

1.06

1.67

2025-26

0.62

1.87

All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick

It’s early in Hyman’s season (12 games, including the Thursday night matchup against Detroit), but the goal scoring is coming quickly after a slow start. It’s a major positive sign, as his injury (wrist fracture and dislocation) could have derailed his scoring touch long term.

If the Oilers can confidently use McDavid-Hyman to outscore at something close to previous levels, much of the rest of the roster will fall into place. Edmonton’s roster plays a freewheeling style and needs a line to push the river and outscore mistakes at five-on-five. The game against Detroit saw a return to the good days of the past few years for the line.

Hyman’s game against Detroit was positive, but there are concerns elsewhere.

The third pairing

Brett Kulak is off his game. His foot speed has fallen from 87th percentile to less than 50 percent, via NHL Edge, and his five-on-five goal share has cratered. Part of the problem comes from Kulak’s playing time. Often saddled with the third and fourth lines in front of him, those units have been offensively challenged since the start of the season. Kulak’s five-on-five goal share has been slipping in recent seasons and is 38 percent in 2025-26.

The Oilers have options this year. Heading to the deadline, it’s possible management will pursue a right-shot defender to run on the second pairing with one of Darnell Nurse or Jake Walman. If that happens, Kulak (who doesn’t have a no-movement clause) would be a prime candidate for trade. If Hyman continues his strong play, Bowman may have enough cap room and assets to bring in an upgrade on the right side of the defence.

The backup goaltender

Calvin Pickard stepped in during the days after Jack Campbell was demoted from the Oilers to the AHL Bakersfield Condors. He delivered in 2023-24 and 2024-25, posting a save percentage of .900 or better in both seasons. Pickard also performed well in both playoff runs in 2024 and 2025, playing in 10 postseason games during the spring of 2025.

This season, Pickard, 33, has struggled. Among goaltenders who have played over 400 minutes at five-on-five this season, Pickard’s .865 save percentage ranks No. 55 of 56 stoppers. The Oilers can’t go all the way through this season with goaltending so poor, especially considering starter Stuart Skinner’s .892 save percentage ranks No. 44.

The problem? No strong options are available. Connor Ingram may yet be the solution to a problem that must be solved by the deadline.

No. 4 centre

The Oilers have a problem in the middle. After the McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lines leave the ice at five-on-five, all hell breaks loose. Here’s a look at five-on-five goal share so far this season:

All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick

The Oilers are basically an expansion team when McDavid and Draisaitl are both off the ice. The team has scored 16 and allowed 36 five-on-five goals when the third or fourth line is being deployed. Nugent-Hopkins can find a home on the left wing with McDavid or Draisaitl (where he has been effective forever), but the Oilers badly need him to play centre on a third line that will thrive. Adam Henrique is the other third-line centre, and it’s been tough going for him as well this season.

The club has time and several options, including Curtis Lazar and Noah Philp (currently on LTIR), but the most likely solution is Nugent-Hopkins. When Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen come back from injury, look for Nugent-Hopkins to find his way back to No. 3 centre for the stretch run.

Thursday night

The Hyman hat trick is an encouraging sign for the Oilers. You can make a case that McDavid and Draisaitl will be able to run through the rest of the season and into the playoffs with the current pool of talent on the wings. The fourth line is often scrapped for parts, but an outscoring third line is vital and proving elusive. If Hyman does check down from the McDavid line, it might come in an effort to give Nugent-Hopkins (or another centre) the strongest possible winger for the third line.

The goaltending situation is a problem in need of an answer that has yet to reveal itself. The defenceman, should Bowman pursue one, will cost a significant amount at the deadline.

Thursday was a good night for the Oilers, and possibly solved one problem. One down, three more to go.