Edmonton Oilers expose roster gamble by relying on Jason Dickinson to replace Leon Draisaitl production
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Daniel Lucente
Mar 17, 2026 (5:14 PM)
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Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Jamie Umbach reported Leon Draisaitl out, Jason Dickinson up, and Edmonton suddenly had to replace a 35-62-97 engine before Tuesday.
That is not a soft lineup tweak. It is a deadline test of whether the Oilers built enough insulation behind Connor McDavid.
Jason Dickinson is 30, a 2013 first-round pick by Dallas, and Edmonton acquired him on March 5 with Chicago retaining 50 percent of his $4.25 million cap hit.
That retained number matters more now. A matchup centre at a reduced charge is exactly the kind of roster math contenders chase in March.
Dickinson has only 7-7-14 in 53 games, so nobody should pretend he is replacing Draisaitl's offence. He is replacing structure, faceoff work, and hard minutes.
"Jason Dickinson moves to the Oilers second line in the absence of Leon Draisaitl while Connor Ingram makes his third straight start."
- Edmonton Oilers
- Edmonton Oilers
Connor Ingram starting a third straight game adds to the message. Edmonton wants predictability in net while it reshuffles a top-six line.
Jason Dickinson gives the Edmonton Oilers a playoff look
Fans will read this as a warning sign, because everybody knows the Oilers can survive one night without Draisaitl, but not a long spring run without his touch.
The fit is plain hockey. Dickinson can check, kill penalties, and free Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jack Roslovic to play faster off the rush.
Ingram's 10-6-2 record, 2.70 GAA, and .895 save percentage also tell you Edmonton is choosing stability over flash right now.
The Oilers are 33-26-9, and that makes every March experiment matter. Tuesday is about San Jose, but the bigger story is whether Bowman built a roster that can absorb one major injury.
Also read on HockeyLatest :
Oilers confirm Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the season
Oilers confirm Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the season
| POLL | ||
MARS 17|145 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers expose roster gamble by relying on Jason Dickinson to replace Leon Draisaitl production Can Jason Dickinson hold the Edmonton Oilers second line together without Leon Draisaitl? | ||
| Yes | 84 | 57.9 % |
| No | 61 | 42.1 % |
| List of polls | ||