With the modified All-Star break officially over and NHL action back into full swing, the most crucial part of the NHL season begins. This is the part of the season where playoff spots are solidified, players prove their worth, and coaches make some tough decisions regarding playoff rosters. Every game counts right now, and the Edmonton Oilers have had a rough stretch. Counting the win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, they have gone 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, including a five-game losing streak in the middle.
Questionable play like that isn’t going to cut it come playoff time. There may be some changes to consider trying before their games are numbered. Here are a few possible options.
Infuse Some Oilers Youth
The Oilers are the NHL’s second-oldest team, just barely behind the Pittsburgh Penguins. While having a strong veteran presence is a good thing, there is also something to be said for younger players with high speed and skill.
There is some promising talent down in Bakersfield right now, waiting for the call-up to the big club. Players like Noah Philp, James Hamblin, and Phil Kemp are the first few that come to mind. Matt Savoie is currently on the NHL roster, but hasn’t seen much action. While these guys (other than Savoie) aren’t super young anymore, they would still bring down the average age in the locker room and provide a different look to this Oilers team.
We have already seen a glimpse of what a future star like Savoie can do with a current star like Draisaitl. We have also seen bits and pieces of what Hamblin and Philp bring to an NHL team. So, why not try them out? It gives them a chance to prove their worth, all while giving a couple of banged-up Oilers veterans a chance to rest for a couple games. It allows Edmonton to look into the future of its organization while still competing. The only hurdle of something like this would be fitting them into the lineup and being considerate of the salary cap. But if it’s possible, get it done.
Edmonton’s Top Trios
A major part of any team’s success is chemistry. Players who play well together and can execute when put together is an easy recipe for victory. The Oilers found some key combinations that worked for them in last year’s long playoff run. While these lines got shaken up a bit after some turnover in the offseason, some pieces still remain with the team that could be reunited.
While you often like to spread out your top talent in the lineup, sometimes putting it all in one place can do wonders for your offence. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman are a lethal trio of players that are a threat any time they are on the ice together.
While there is the argument that putting these three together potentially weakens the rest of your lineup, one should take note of all the other weapons this offence has. Players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Viktor Arvidsson, and Evander Kane (pending his return) are just a few of the guys picking up the slack. A star-studded top line such as this one would be a great creation.
Another line that is a must for Edmonton is one that the team has already seemingly reunited, hopefully for good. Mattias Janmark, Connor Brown, and Adam Henrique are three players that seem to be made to play together. Oilers fans remember well how this line plays, as the three became something of fan favourites during the team’s recent playoff run.
The trio’s play style together is unmatched, and it is clear to see. While creating a line like this forces other lines to create basically brand-new combinations with untested chemistry, I believe it gives Edmonton’s depth a much-needed boost going forward.
Edmonton Grit
Who doesn’t love a good grit line that lays the body? The Oilers rank dead last in the league in hits with 764. This is something of concern going into playoff season, where physicality and body checking become extremely important. The Florida Panthers led the league in hits last season, and things seemed to work out for them.
The solution to this problem for Edmonton is fairly simple. They need to create a line of bruisers that are out there to strictly create chaos for the other team (and score the occasional goal). The return of Kane, paired with players like Corey Perry and Vasily Podkolzin, would be the most attractive option. You could also make an argument for players like Janmark or Brown, however, you want them playing on their familiar line with Henrique. Regardless, something like this should be put together by the coaches. It would strike some fear into the opposition and create more momentum for the team in tight games.
The Oilers are a team that is likely to find their winning ways at the right time and contend for a division title, hopefully even more. What adjustments they make down the stretch to stay afloat and contend remain a big question as the trade deadline draws closer.
