Examining Oilers centre depth: Locks, hopefuls and a Condors new wave

The Edmonton Oilers boast elite centre depth at the top of their lineup, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, with newly acquired Jason Dickinson adding checking depth after being signed at the trade deadline. However, the team faces uncertainty further down the depth chart, as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has shifted more toward left wing, taking nearly 200 fewer faceoffs last season — his lowest total in a full season across his 15-year NHL career. New head coach Mike Babcock is exploring lineup combinations, including deploying McDavid and Draisaitl together, while the fourth-line centre role remains open to competition.