As we hit the midpoint of the season, let’s take a look at how each player on the Edmonton Oilers has done to this point. Going grade by grade, though there are shades of grey within each, we’ll detail a bit on each player, as players might find themselves with similar grades despite being at different positions in the lineup or at different points in their careers. While cap hit is certainly part of the analysis, first and foremost is the player’s contribution to the Oilers on ice performance.
A+
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman
Through injury and relatively temperate production early on, Connor McDavid is still deserving of the mantle of world’s best player. His dominance of the regular season has been an afterthought, and fans shouldn’t worry should he fail to win the scoring race or the MVP. With the continued burden of expectation, McDavid has continued to live up to the billing.
Leon Draisaitl is never far behind. Though this is hardly his finest season, and he may not be thought of as the league’s second best player anymore, Draisaitl is still all-world, all-time. There are few with his pedigree or accomplishments, and perhaps no better playoff scorer.
Evan Bouchard is coming into his own, or rather has continued to do so. Ever since being optimally deployed, with Mattias Ekholm and on the top power play unit, Bouchard has been able to thrive. Though mistakes will still occur, Bouchard might be able to gain some legitimate consideration for the Norris Trophy.
Zach Hyman reminds us that there are exceptions to the age curve, as he has continued to improve his game throughout his career. Built on work ethic, Hyman has continued to add to his puck skills each season, and has been able to develop poise in the extra time and space that he earns. Hyman is not afraid to play his role, excelling in close quarters and contested ice.
A
Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse
This is a steady group of high level contributors, having strong seasons. This consistency is not to be taken for granted, even in the face of some doubt from the fringes of Oil Country. Each might have faced their own set of concerns heading into the year, Darnell Nurse for his cap cost and term most notably, but continue to help form the elite core of this Oilers team.
B
Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, Cody Ceci, Evander Kane, Vincent Desharnais, Brett Kulak, Derek Ryan
This tier sees a wider variety of players throughout the middle of the lineup, though the group has unequivocally helped the Oilers cause this season. Because of age and contract, fans might feel more strongly about the players within this group, but they form a strong layer of depth to the team behind the core group. Contending teams will try to tweak within this group, attempting to find the right mix or balance to support their presumably elite cores.
Stuart Skinner headlines the group, as he and Ryan McLeod feature as younger players stepping into bigger roles on very affordable contracts. Though Skinner stumbled early in the year, we should extend him with the same grace as the rest of the team in that regard, and might very well earn a higher grade by the end of year report cards.
McLeod has been fantastic alongside Warren Foegele, who is playing the best hockey of his career. Their name brands might not have the appeal, but their play has been vital to the Oilers success, and will need to continue to be if the team is to reach its goals.
For players with bigger contracts, or higher expectations, this grade might be more contentious. There will certainly be those who fixate on contracts in this range, perhaps in the cases of Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak, or Evander Kane. Of course, there are better players who earn less across the league, and upgrades are certainly possible, all three provide enough elements to the lineup to be fully deserving of this strong grade. It’s quite possible that they provide value throughout their current deals, but unlikely any see a raise on their next contracts.
Kane has been dropped down the lineup for now, and has seen his possession stats continue to wane. Still, at roughly a 30-goal pace, Kane should not be measured as harshly, as his value manifests in other ways. As long as Kane is producing at a decent rate, he is a rare combination of physicality and offence, and many similar style wingers are underperforming on longer contracts across the league.
At this scoring pace, Kane is a tenable luxury for the Oilers, even despite poor possession and expected goals rates. His power game built on ruggedness has translated well into the lawlessness of the postseason, a reality that sees the impact of his negative penalty differential mitigated as well. Whether or not Kane can maintain this level of play through the two remaining seasons on his current contract remains to be seen, though for now his play is still an asset to the Oilers despite it’s perceived cap inefficiency.
Ceci might not be the second pair RD of wildest dreams, but has continued to bring value on his deal. While some might focus on his shortcomings, an acknowledgment of his contributions deserves to be observed. As an exercise one might want to look for an upgrade around the league, a right shot defenceman who can help Nurse with in-zone defence, contribute consistent top-four minutes for a legitimate contender, making roughly the same amount, whether or not that player is available, and the price it would cost to procure their services. What starts as a simple daydream quickly becomes a very complex equation.
By the same logic Vinny Desharnais and Derek Ryan deserve their share of praise for doing the same at a much less expensive cap cost. Both players have continued to defy odds in becoming key contributors to the team. Often we can focus too much on our perceived negatives, failing to at least equally fixating on the positives, and so appreciating the contributions of Desharnais and Ryan is important.
Kulak finds himself somewhere in between, but is clearly a solid third pair defenceman, even on a contending team.
C
Sam Gagner, Calvin Pickard, Mattias Janmark, James Hamblin, Adam Erne
This class is filled with role players, holding up their end of the bargain on inexpensive deals. Due to his history and stature as an Oiler, Sam Gagner headlines the group. He has been able to produce in bunches when in the lineup, providing an offensive spark to the team in leaner times. Mattias Janmark is a key penalty killer, which is an important role, and brings a certain consistency or dependability. James Hamblin is getting his feet wet in the NHL, and has survived. Time will tell how or if he can add to his game, but for now appears to have some runway for us to find out. Calvin Pickard is fairing well in his foray up the depth chart, collecting points as a true backup to Skinner. Perhaps that’s all Skinner needs within this season, but at some point before next season we shouldn’t be surprised to see the Oilers address the position.
D
Without the $4M ramifications on next season’s cap, the Connor Brown signing has not been terrible, perhaps deserving of a C grade like Janmark, but it is a mistake too significant to ignore. Perhaps there might be some years left for Brown as an effective bottom-six NHL forward, but it seems far too aggressive a manoeuvre.
At the very least Brown is still a responsible player and a well liked teammate. Perhaps he can rediscover some of his quality down the stretch, which would be appreciated by the team.
F
Things cannot have gone worse for Jack Campbell’s time with the Oilers this season. After a disappointing first season with the team, the hope was that Campbell would be able to rebound, if not enough to play up to his cap hit, then at least to be a serviceable 35-game starter. Instead, Campbell has plummeted down the depth chart, and might well have seen his last game as an Oiler. At some point there will be a move made to relieve the team of his cap hit.
Incomplete
Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Raphael Lavoie, Olivier Rodrigue
These four younger players find themselves in the AHL playing big roles, and for now that might be the best place for them.
The skaters all failed to gain traction with the team, though in fairness most of their opportunities came in the early portion of the season where the entire team was struggling. Since being drafted, Holloway has yet to remain healthy enough to make it through a season, Broberg has yet to play with a consistent partner, let alone a favourable one, and Lavoie’s icetime was extremely limited. While none of the three skaters impressed enough to carve out a bigger role either, it becomes a tenuous situation where their confidence stalls. Their profiles as prospects, and by extension as trade chips, are dimming.
For his part, Olivier Rodrigue has played well enough to have earned little play in the NHL. It might be ambitious, or desperate, to entrust him with a full time backup role on a contending team, though he might well be ready to excel in such a role. We should hope to see him at least get more significant playing time in the AHL, something he has been worthy of for over a calendar year at this point. It’s not impossible that the Oilers need Rodrigue at some point this season, even in the playoffs, so giving him a look in a game or two would be beneficial, or at least informative.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
