With training camp approaching, so too are the days of watching out for line combinations. Though Edmonton Oilers Coach Kris Knoblauch is famous for his in-game line blending, there will still be fanfare around who is practicing where.

With that in mind we polled our readers as to which player they would most like to see alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.

Want to take part in Sunday Census polls? We send them out every week on our Twitter at @oilrigEDM. Follow along or send in ideas for the next poll!

Who should join Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman on the Edmonton #Oilers top line for the upcoming season?

— The Oil Rig (@oilrigEDM) August 29, 2025

Give Isaac Howard a chance

The idea of giving McDavid a legitimate shooting threat not named Leon Draisaitl has been longstanding. Despite their attempts, the Oilers have yet to find a player who can hold down the spot long term. The concept is simple, the speed and playmaking of McDavid and the relentless net front efforts of Hyman open a lot of room for a trigger man.

Enter Isaac Howard, the newly acquired rookie-to-be. Coming off of a Hobey Baker Trophy last season in the NCAA, Howard clearly has scoring talent. His shot is likely the best among Oilers prospects, with enough quality to be dangerous from range. Since being acquired, fans immediately started dreaming of this combination.

Perhaps, then, it is no surprise to see Howard close to leading this poll. Anticipation and optimism are at highs at this point in the league schedule, the time to dream is now. The risk with Howard exists too, as there is no guarantee that he will be NHL ready, much less to handle top line minutes for the contending Oilers. Still, this might be the best possible spot for Howard in the Oilers lineup.

Keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with them

A bit more surprising is Nugent-Hopkins finishing so low in this poll. Largely the incumbent in this spot, Nugent-Hopkins has teamed up with McDavid and Hyman to consistently form one of the league’s best lines. Whether by familiarity or curiosity, fans clearly want the Oilers to strive for something more.

A few truths might also be in play here. After reaching 100 points in 2023–24, Nugent-Hopkins regressed in 2024–25. While the line was clearly not as productive as the season prior, they were still effective. Perhaps Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman can split the difference this season, which would be good news for the Oilers.

Another factor comes into play, as Nugent-Hopkins’ versatility might see his talents needed elsewhere in the lineup. A spot at centre could give the Oilers incredible forward depth, and making an unconventionally offensive third line. In the abundantly hopeful weeks of the offseason, fans might be envisioning this type of aggressive setup as the best case scenario.

Andrew Mangiapane deserves a shot

Finishing first in our poll is Andrew Mangiapane. Again the hopeful nature of new additions might provide a boost here. Oilers fans will be familiar with the outstanding season Mangiapane authored as a member of the Calgary Flames, but the truth is that his more muted 2024–25 season with the Washington Capitals is a lot closer to his career norms.

A smart winger who often helps his line control play, Mangiapane’s scoring talents might be amplified alongside McDavid and Hyman. At his best he is able to find quiet ice, and McDavid’s surreal vision should be able to help maximize that. While it is nearly certain that Knoblauch’s line blender will reward Mangiapane with some shifts here, a full time spot on this line is more unlikely.

Again, lineup versatility might be a factor here, as Mangiapane should be a solid addition in the middle-six. His strong possession metrics could make him a valuable scoring threat on a checking line, which is much more in line with his usual career usage. Provided that the Oilers make a pure checking line with Adam Henrique and Mattias Janmark, Mangiapane might make a solid two way line alongside Nugent-Hopkins and Trent Frederic.

Can Matthew Savoie handle it?

While the results of our poll might seem contradictory to the aspirational nature of the offseason, this might not be the case for Matthew Savoie. Instead, it might be that fans are hoping that Savoie occupies another spot in the lineup alongside Draisaitl. Just as fans have yearned for a sniper on McDavid’s line to simulate Draisaitl, they have envisioned a speedy playmaker to simulate McDavid on Draisaitl’s line.

Funnily enough, as much as this seems smart in theory, in practice it has often been the opposite. Hyman’s physicality is one thing, but the offensive wingers that have worked alongside McDavid’s line have had playmaking strengths. Look no further than Nugent-Hopkins. Perhaps the issue lies in hockey sense more than anything.

Still, Savoie has continued to prove himself in other ways, being a key penalty killer in the AHL last season. This defensive ability gives Savoie a great chance of sticking on a third line as well, meaning Savoie might not be in a top-six or bust category like Howard might be.

Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire

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