Zack Kassian
There is no secret that this season hasn’t been the best for Zack Kassian. For this season not to be a complete disaster for him he will need to pick up his play of the Edmonton Oilers.
The last time we saw a Kassian that played the way we would like him to again, was the last playoff run. I remember him throwing his weight around in the San Jose series and thinking he could do no wrong. Fast forward a couple years later and I am now the guy that thinks he can do no right.
To be honest I don’t even know if Kassian should be in the lineup on a night to night basis right now. I now he has it in there, but he just doesn’t seem to be able to find it. If Kassian can find that aggressive game he is going to help this Edmonton Oilers team out.
When Kassian is playing on the edge he makes the other team play timid and causes them to make mistakes. In the playoffs when the game gets rougher and a edge moves closer to that rougher side. That is the place Kassian needs to be.
If the Edmonton Oilers bottom six can make it tough for the competition then it will be up to the top 2 lines to make the difference out there. That is something the Edmonton Oilers want to have happen, because if you have Draisaitl and McDavid centring those two lines you are likely winning the head to head battle.
I personally think that the three players mentioned above can be a big part of the team. If they can find their top level game they should really help move the needle in the direction of an Edmonton Oilers win in every game.