NHL managers place high value on centres across the organizational depth chart. The Edmonton Oilers’ depth at the positional is phenomenal, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The team acquired, and then signed, checking centre Jason Dickinson at the trade deadline, giving the roster a strong top of the order at the position.However, after that, the team is in something of a dry period at centre. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a brilliant two-way forward, played more on left wing last year than at any point in his 15-year NHL career. Nugent-Hopkins took almost 200 fewer faceoffs year-over-year; his total faceoffs (363) was his lowest total in a full (non-injury, non-pandemic) season.New coach Mike Babcock plans to run McDavid and Draisaitl together at times five-on-five. That means the club will likely carry five centres and eight wingers to start the season. Since we know McDavid, Draisaitl and Dickinson will populate the top three lines (two when 97-29 are together), here’s a look at the Oilers and AHL Bakersfield Condors depth charts as the teams prepare for training camp.The NHL locksPlayerPoints-60Mins v elitesGoal PctConnor McDavid2.4649353Leon Draisaitl2.4836855Jason Dickinson1.0124142All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick and Puck IQ (elite numbers)No other NHL team can compete with the Oilers at the top of the centre depth chart. The team doesn’t have another ideal option for No. 2 centre (there’s a league-wide shortage) and Babcock may return to using Draisaitl (a No. 1 centre on most other teams) on the second line. Dickinson is ideally suited to a third-line role, with plenty of defensive zone starts, time spent against elites and on the penalty kill. Overall, the three men are formidable and will give opposition fits in 2026-27.The possible NHL options Among the group who played centre at five-on-five last season and are no longer with the club, Adam Henrique (426 faceoffs, 137 minutes versus elites), Curtis Lazar (216 faceoffs, 66 minutes versus elites) and Jack Roslovic (233 faceoffs and 298 minutes, many as a winger, against elites) were the notables.