Has Jeff Skinner’s recent play cemented himself in the Edmonton Oilers ’ roster now and built enough of a foundation that his coach Kris Knoblauch finally has enough faith in him to write J. Skinner on the lineup card every night? You would think so, but…

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid is expected to return before the end of the regular season despite not traveling with the Edmonton Oilers for the start of an upcoming four-game road trip, coach Kris Knoblauch said Sunday.

Here comes the cavalry. Not long after the Oilers announced Derek Ryan was recalled from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, the team hit the ice at Rogers Place for a morning skate, where more reinforcements were inbound.

Every season, one or two players break out in the playoffs and make the league take notice. The Oilers have a few players with the potential to surprise this postseason and arise from the shadows.

Skinner is coming off his first two-goal game with the Oilers as they host the Seattle Kraken on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, KONG, KING 5, KHN). He scored twice in a 4-3 overtime loss against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Thursday night's 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets wasn't all bad. It served as a showcase for Jeff Skinner, who is primed to sit at the top of the Oilers' depth chart with 97 and 29 injured.

When the Edmonton Oilers ice their 2024-25 playoff lineup, it could look much different than the roster looks right now. Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will soon be back in the lineup — both are nursing minor injuries,

(Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Seattle Kraken’s Michael Eyssimont (21) skates past as Edmonton Oilers’ Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025.