NHL insider revealed that Ike Howard, Mattias Janmark, and Curtis Lazar could be on the move when the team is healthy, either by trade or by being sent down. The Edmonton Oilers are faced with a roster make-or-break moment as <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-hit-with-major-injury-blow-as-key-forward-lands-on-ir' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>a few of their top players are nursing injuries</a>. Zach Hyman and Alec Regula could be back by November 1, leaving head coach Kris Knoblauch and general manager Stan Bowman with tough choices to make in the immediate future. <h3>Despite starting the season with a .500 mark, the Oilers have not met expectations</h3> Edmonton has accumulated 10 points in the first ten games with a 4-4-2 record, a comparable start to previous seasons but one below expectations for a playoff squad. The roster hasn't been truly steady in terms of its lineup, and having two starters back will make it all the more crucial to have a 23-man roster hold. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/nhl-insider-reveals-exact-timeline-for-zach-hyman-return-to-oilers' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>With the imminent return of Hyman and Regula</a>, depth pieces might be on the way out. Per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, young forward Ike Howard is likely a candidate for AHL assignment, as his minutes will probably dwindle with Hyman's return. The team would rather his development come in an environment where he can play substantial minutes. Veteran Mattias Janmark is still an unknown, not playing this season to date, so he could be on the way out in either a trade, waivers, or a buyout. Curtis Lazar has only just been recently banished to the press box, while Noah Philp keeps impressing. Edmonton might think about trading a roster forward like Lazar rather than losing waiver-exempt players such as Philp, according to Friedman. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1982834036424004094'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> When (Alec) Regula is healthy and Walman is coming back, they've got eight or nine guys (defenseman), including guys in the AHL. So I think Edmonton could be looking at that too. Ike Howard is also a possibility to be sent to the AHL. When Hyman returns, Ike's ice-time will drop considerably, which doesn't bode well for his development. Given his inconsistent play, he will need to see action in order to improve at the NHL level. Mattias Janmark's status with the Oilers has been discussed at length this season. He's yet to play a game, which makes it difficult to package him in a trade, though it's not completely out of the question. Expect to see him with the Condors. With Noah Philp's strong play of late, Curtis Lazar has been assigned to the press box. He signed a one-year deal in July 2025, and has been utilized as a fourth-line option, a role he will likely lose when Hyman returns in November. The Oilers want to avoid placing waiver-exempt prospects like Noah Philp on waivers, where he would likely be claimed by another team. Trading a roster player such as Lazar would avoid that risk. - Elliotte Friedman Next week will be telling as the Oilers try to cement their lineup and their season, before things get wild in November.