Just three games into the 25-26 season, the Edmonton Oilers are already rethinking some big decisions. Despite an unbeaten start, the coaching staff isn’t waiting around, and a bold move involving two of the team’s biggest stars is already turning heads.
Is it Too Soon for the Oilers to Split Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl?
Despite a 2‑0‑1 record, Coach Kris Knoblauch is splitting up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
With a road test against the Islanders looming, Knoblauch wants different combinations. McDavid will roll with Andrew Mangiapane and David Tomášek; Draisaitl will go with Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins and Jack Roslovic. The goal is to spread offense and test youngsters.
McDavid and Draisaitl started together this season. That experiment is being shelved, at least for now. Edmonton beat the Rangers 2-0, but they were under pressure for much of the game. That likely nudged Knoblauch toward change.
Mangiapane has already scored twice, so pairing him with McDavid makes sense. Tomášek, 29 and new to the NHL, gets a bump after flashes in limited minutes. He hasn’t scored yet, but his instincts and positioning have caught the eye.
“He’s a big man, wins a lot of puck battles. I think that’s the biggest thing that stands out. Always ready to shoot, but wins a lot of battles. That’s the first thing I see,” McDavid said of Tomášek recently.
“He’s just a great scorer. He understands where to be, he understands how to put himself in a good spot and makes great plays. Very smart player. He’s just a great player,” He added.
Draisaitl’s new trio is solid, too. Nugent‑Hopkins is reliable, and Roslovic gives a fresh look after joining the Oilers recently.
🩸 | -🅞🅐🅓 Oilers After Dark 2025-2026 Edmonton Oilers
Regular Season Content Coverage | 💧Edmonton Oilers 2025-2026 Regular Season Game 4
vs. New York Islanders (Home) Projected Line-Up, News-Notes:
–PROJECTED LINE-UP
–Andrew MANGIAPANE – Connor McDAVID – David Tomasek… pic.twitter.com/InBknE7nYf
— -OAD’s -B.W. (@OADSBW) October 16, 2025
The bottom six shifts below, too. Trent Frederic centers Podkolzin and Kapanen, who netted one goal. The fourth line features veteran Adam Henrique and rookies Ike Howard and Matt Savoie.
McDavid Shows Patience, Faith in Changes
Many might balk at such early moves, but McDavid doesn’t. “A little bit of a new look, moving away from our old system and into a new system. And there’s been a little bit of a feeling out process. But I feel like it’s gone really well,” he said.
“Everybody’s paying attention, trying to learn it as fast as they can. And it’s only going to get better with time as we understand it better,” McDavid added.
His calm, steady presence keeps things grounded. With Zach Hyman out, the team needs voices like his behind the scenes.
Offensively, the numbers worry a bit. Just eight goals in three games, two of those empty nets. They still haven’t clicked at 5‑on‑5. Clearly, the coaching staff wants more.
On the bright side, goaltending has held up. Stuart Skinner’s 30-save shutout against the Rangers was a highlight, and the defensive structure looks solid.
Still, eyes are on the offense. Can these new lines spark something? With McDavid and Draisaitl driving their own units and younger players stepping up, the Oilers are hoping this shake-up gets things moving in the right direction.
