Edmonton Oilers: Should Leon Draisaitl Carry His Own Line

Without the services of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Edmonton Oilers wouldn’t be as good as they are now. It can also be argued that there wouldn’t be as much star power for Edmonton if these two weren’t put on the same line.

Though McDavid can produce points with pretty much any player, Draisaitl was a huge asset. The two of them bounced off each other, and when it came to finding McDavid the perfect right winger, the Oilers solved the solution with Draisaitl.  The German forward scored 29 goals and 77 points and was a huge part of the first line. McDavid hit the 30-goal mark and finished with 100 points.

Edmonton Oilers

Not to mention, both players went on impressive point streaks to end the season. Certainly, their chemistry and scoring ability helped them claim the title as the NHL’s deadliest duo. Between just the two of them, Draisaitl and McDavid combined for 177 points.

Going into next season, the Oilers are certainly going to build depth on the right wing. However, when it comes to the top line, some believe that Draisaitl and McDavid are the perfect duo. Others think that with Draisaitl’s lone ability and breakout year, the 21-year-old can carry his own line. Should the Oilers split up their dynamic duo?

Draisaitl’s Worth

First off, Draisaitl shows outstanding playmaking ability. He can make smart, outstanding passes, and find openings and players that defenceman simply cannot see. Pairing his intelligence with his speed, offensive awareness and on-ice vision, Draisaitl has shown his worth as a top-six forward. However, he is also a proven centre who can most definitely carry his own line.

Draisaitl has shown that he makes the players around him better. One example is when he found David Desharnais on a beautiful pass to the slot that gave the Oilers a Game 5 overtime win over San Jose in the first round. That alone shows just how much he is capable of.

On the other hand, McDavid and Draisaitl understand each other. Their chemistry and separate ability make the top line invincible and lethal when it’s on the ice. With that being said, perhaps keeping them together is the better option.

What to Do

In the end, it all comes down to how the Oilers fix their roster in the offseason. If they go in a direction where they trade Jordan Eberle and find a solid, proven top-six winger, then Draisaitl should be left to carry his own unit.

However, if they cannot find someone to fill that void on the right side, Draisaitl should stay on the top unit. This would also let Ryan Nugent-Hopkins keep his job on the top-six, and let Edmonton build more depth down the middle and on the bottom-six.

Next: McDavid Should Win the Hart

There are plenty of options and things for the Oilers to consider, but they are all positive and steps in the right direction.