Edmonton Oilers: NHL 16 Rankings Top Six Forwards
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Introduction
NHL 16 looks like it’s going to be a great game. For the Edmonton Oilers, will the rankings be looking up? Today on Oil on Whyte, we’re going to give power rankings for the top six forwards, ranking them and explaining why they got that number. Then, when the game comes out, we can see if we’re right.
Next: LW Jordan Eberle
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
LW Jordan Eberle– 85
The reason I’m going to give Ebs an 85 is one of complexity. It wasn’t an easy decision, considering he led the team with decent numbers this season. However, he is not living up to his full potential. Eberle can easily be at least a 30-goal guy each season if he were to put in the effort, but he is not living up to those expectations. We believe that offensively, he’ll put up higher numbers this season, but that doesn’t go without a little backlash, considering he only put in 24 goals this past season.
Also, he is shaky when it comes to the backend, so his defensive standards are not going to be high at all. However, he holds capability of scoring, and he can rip the puck while also scoring a lot of the time when he does actually shoot. So, we’ll put him at an 85 and see how it goes from there.
Next: C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins– 86
Nugent-Hopkins has a high potential like Eberle, but we’re putting the youngster at a higher overall than Eberle for multiple reasons. For starters, he tied Eberle in goals last season and is starting to develop into a better player at a younger age. Second off, his injuries were holding him back from his full potential, but now, it looks like he is improving his scoring and is making great plays at center.
Nugent-Hopkins is also better when it comes to back checking, as he knows how to somewhat defend. Sure, his +/- isn’t the greatest thing on Earth, but it’s better than Ebs. Physically, he’s bulking up, so that should help him on the backend and it should help him when it comes to skating.
We’ll leave him at an 86. He seems to be ready to hit his full potential, but at the same time, he lacks consistency and the ability to defend.
Next: RW Benoit Pouliot
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
RW Benoit Pouliot– 84
We’re putting Pouliot a little bit lower. Reason being? He is definitely not one of the top players, although his numbers with the Oilers this past season marked his career-high in goals (19). He’s somewhat a veteran who has a lot of experience and skill, but at the same time, he has never scored over 20 goals and holds a career high 36 point season. Don’t get me wrong, Pouliot’s a great winger, but how much does he actually do when it comes to the team?
The one thing he does do an outstanding job with is defending and working hard on the back check when he has to. He’s aggressive and knows how to help the team score goals while also making sure the opposition doesn’t get the opportunity to score. He plays an aggressive game and holds a -1, which is actually superb for an Oiler.
Next: LW Taylor Hall
Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
LW Taylor Hall– 90
NHL 16 already released Hall’s score, and I couldn’t agree more. He has a unique set of skills with the puck and is outstanding when it comes to deking and getting past the defense. When he does shoot the puck, he’s pretty accurate and has a lot of fire power. Truthfully, Hall needs a decent center (McDavid) to help him when it comes to offense.
Defensively, he’s a bit weak, and he’s not the strongest guy on the ice, let alone a physical player. If he wants a higher rating, he needs to up his aggression, but right now, he holds one of the strongest scores on the team.
Next: C Connor McDavid
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C Connor McDavid– 85
Connor McDavid’s going to be a huge key factor for this Oilers team. Everyone knows it. But, how will EA rate the rookie who, although has never played in the NHL, has high expectations?
Well, let’s see. In just 46 OHL games this past season, he scored 44 goals and put in 76 assists. That’s hard to do nowadays, even in the OHL, despite everyone’s belief. The offensive skills and the hand work are there, and he’s magic with a puck.
Defensively, McDavid’s a solid player. He knows how to backcheck and he’s not afraid to be aggressive, and he’s an excellent skater. So, he shouldn’t worry there.
EA is going to be rating him at an average score, though. The reason behind that is because he is going to have to adjust to the NHL, and who knows what will happen? Hopefully, as Gretzky preached, McDavid will be just fine making his transition.
Next: RW Nail Yakupov
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
RW Nail Yakupov-84
Like Eberle, Yakupov has yet to live up to his potential. But, since his numbers aren’t starting to flourish, we’re putting him at an 84 overall. Yakupov is talented and maintains a lot of skills when it comes to hand work and skating, but his scoring ability is just not there right now.
Defensively, he’s a wreck. He holds one of the worst +/- scores in the league and can’t back check at all. Hopefully, he will develop further under Todd McLellan and learn to balance defense and improve his offense at the same time. He also lacks physicality, but he can be aggressive.
However, he’s poised for a breakout this season, so maybe it will become a better score later on. Who knows? Right now, he sits at an 84 for me.
Next: Conclusion
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Conclusion
All of these numbers are subject to change. They are just predictions and are no way affiliated with EA Sports or NHL 16 (well, except Taylor Hall’s score). Tell us what you think of these predictions. Go Oil!
Next: Connor McDavid Adidas Ad, Rookie Showcase