5 takeaways as Oilers shuffle lines ahead of Nashville trip
We break down the Edmonton Oilers’ decision to change up their forward lines, including putting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl back together.
Looking to light a fire under the players following two losses to begin the season, Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft shuffled the lines for practice on Monday morning. The lines were as follows:
- Evander Kane – Leon Draisaitl – Connor McDavid
- Warren Foegele – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Zach Hyman
- Dylan Holloway – Ryan McLeod – Connor Brown
- Adam Erne – Mattias Janmark – Derek Ryan
Woodcroft spoke to the media after practice, to provide some insight into the line changes. He said:
“You look at all areas of your game and the fact of the matter is we’ve scored one even-strength goal in two games. Obviously there’s a lot of chances created, (but) there wasn’t a lot of finish. The shooting percentage at even strength is about two percent, which is not our standard.”
So was it a good idea or not to make the changes presented, and what is the fallout from all this? Here are five takeaways on the reshuffling of the forward lines, of course pending them actually being used on Tuesday night in Nashville:
1) The superstars are back together
TSN asked the question of if the Oilers are in desperation mode by reuniting McDavid and Draisaitl? Certainly it’s an earlier move than expected, but we wouldn’t go as far as calling it desperate.
Anytime you can put the best player and arguably the second-best player in the game together, it’s not exactly a negative! The duo are magical together and will undoubtedly create fear in the opposition.
McDavid and Draisaitl have already combined for two goals this season although, as per Woodcroft’s point about the even strength play, both goals came on the man advantage. You have to believe they will be able to improve the five-on-five scoring percentages, by playing together.
The Oilers coach was asked about the potential impact of the deadly duo. He said:
“I think when they play together, it’s a dangerous combination. The results speak for themselves. Not only (do) they create numerous chances when they’re together, they (draw) a lot of penalties as well. You know what you’re getting when those two guys are together.”
In the end, we don’t believe this particular change will be a long-term situation. It’s more about helping the team get back on track, so that Draisaitl can return to centering his own line, which he has done effectively to begin the season.
2) Increased expectations for Kane
Evander Kane has had a tough start to the season, highlighted by being last on the team with a -5 plus/minus rating. Aside from some strong physical play, he’s been effectively a non-factor on the ice.
Of course it’s still extremely early, but Kane is not back to the excellent form he displayed prior to his wrist surgery last season. He’s capable of so much more, but needs to prove it once again.
In this respect, no one stands to benefit more from the line changes, than the 2009 fourth overall draft pick. How could he not improve, playing alongside McDavid and Draisaitl?
At the same time, this question also has another possible outcome, where Kane fails to deliver. If this is the scenario which plays out you have to wonder what the future holds for him, but we’re confident he will flourish alongside his superstar teammates.
In this respect, the 32-year-old sounds similarly confident in playing with McDavid and Draisaitl. Speaking to the media after practice on Monday, he said:
“I’ve played with them together the last couple of seasons. We seem to all work well together and know how each other plays. I think we can hopefully generate some more opportunities off the rush … and when we get into the other team’s end, just be hard around the net and get open for those guys.”
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3) Out of the top-six
While Kane gets to remain on the first line with McDavid, Connor Brown isn’t so fortunate. He similarly hasn’t done much through the first two games, as evidenced by no points, just two shots on goal and a -3 plus/minus rating.
Once again, it’s important to stress Brown has been putting the hard work in. He’s just not producing, resulting in unintentionally compromising McDavid’s impact on the game.
What’s somewhat surprising about this, is because of the history between the two. They previously played together for the Eeeri Otters and had developed a solid chemistry along the way.
In this respect, Brown is still good enough to return to being a complimentary top-six player, but for now he must prove himself on the third line. Also, it has to be considered he’s still working his way back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which limited him to four games last season.
4) The best line through two games
Sticking with the third line, this has arguably been the top forward unit for the Oilers overall in the two games versus the Canucks. More specifically, Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele.
Holloway was one of the few players who impressed in the opening game, while McLeod had already established himself last season as the Oilers’ legit thirde-line centre option. Meanwhile, Foegele’s play through two games has been rewarded with a move into the top-six.
About the only negative — if you want to call it this after just two games — was the lack of points production by the third line. However, this is something which would have resolved itself over the course of the season, and indeed will do as and when Holloway, McLeod and Foegele play together again.
In this respect, for what it’s worth, the trio had a combined 60 points during the 2022-23 regular season. Foegele led the way with 28 points in 67 games, and he should do well alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman on the second line.
5) The captain speaks
McDavid was understandably asked about playing with Draisaitl specifically. Speaking to the media after Monday’s practice, he said:
“When we’re both playing together, we have the puck a little bit more. We do a good job of getting the puck to each other. Obviously he’s one of the best passers in the world, if not the best. So you just have to get open and he’s going to find you, and he usually does, so that’s kind of the main difference.”
The three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner was also asked about the difference between a mid-season losing streak and one to begin the campaign. He said:
“You want to get off to a good start and we haven’t, but it’s two games. If we win (on Tuesday) night, it leaves us at 1-2, which is what we were last year too. Not the best start obviously, not what we’re looking for, but Saturday is something to build off of and we’ll look to continue that (against the Predators).”
Everyone concerned knows McDavid looks comfortable no matter who he lines up with. However, Oilers fans should anticipate even more fireworks with him playing more alongside Draisaitl.
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Overall, there are more positives that negatives about the line changes by Woodcroft. As always though, the games aren’t played on paper, and it will be interesting to see how effective the reshuffled forward units are on Tuesday night, versus the Predators.