Coming one game short of lifting the Lord Stanley trophy, the Edmonton Oilers have had to spend the last two and a half months taking a long hard look in the mirror. They have made a number of changes to their roster over the last season that have undoubtedly helped to inspire their playoff push. Connor McDavid has previously said that the aim for the team is “Cup or bust” and unfortunately, last season ended in a bust.
Oilers were surely busy this offseason and have made a number of adjustments to their roster, both offensively and defensively. So where does this leave the team heading into the new season? Let’s explore this further as we go into a line-by-line assessment of the current Oilers starting lineup roster.
Building a powerful top-six group
The offensive anchors of the team, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, highlight this group. With Draisaitl’s recent eight-year commitment to Edmonton, one would hope that this only foreshadows what every Oilers fan is manifesting: McDavid’s eventual resigning.
The first line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, and Zach Hyman are staying put. The expectations for this line are clear: lead by example with consistent offensive production. Their chemistry was evident throughout the season and the playoffs, which I only expect to further grow. RNH and Hyman may be getting older, but there is no clear reason to suspect a drop-off in their production. They both possess strong work ethic and are reliable, high hockey IQ players who understand their roles and can often be found in the right place at the right time.
The biggest change to the offensive roster is the second line which has received a complete makeover. Out with Warren Foegele (Los Angeles Kings) and Dylan Holloway (St. Louis Blues), and in with Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. Both of these represent significant upgrades over Holloway and Foegele, with Arvidsson also adding an element of physical play. Arvidsson is a two-time 30-goal scorer while Skinner is a season removed from an 82-point campaign with the Buffalo Sabres. Skinner may have been overpayed and inconsistent during his stint with Buffalo, but coming on a one-year, $3M contract is a low risk, high reward situation. If this trio finds their footing and are firing on all cylinders, they can become the Oilers’ most dangerous offensive option.
Some changes for the bottom-six forwards
The Mattias Janmark-Adam Henrique-Connor Brown line remains put after they all opted to re-sign with Edmonton. This fast skating, two-way line that found fantastic chemistry in the playoffs will remain a great option for Kris Knoblauch when it comes to shutting down opponents’ top lines and providing the secondary scoring that was at times missing last season. Their break-out speed, defensive play, and good hockey IQ should produce some fun-to-watch hockey.
Lastly, the fourth line is likely to be Vasily Podkolzin-Derek Ryan-Corey Perry. A veteran center and right wing combined with a player who has yet to find his footing. It is difficult to predict how Podkolzin’s tenure with the Oilers will shape up. He is a former top-10 draft pick with good speed and strong offensive potential, but only time will tell if Oilers can give him the spark he needs to become a consistent NHL-quality player. While I think that Ryan McLeod is likely a more reliable option at this point in time, Podkolzin has a greater potential when it comes to offensive production.
Of course, these are not the only additions the Oilers have made in the off-season as they have brought in a highly touted rookie in Matthew Savoie. In addition, Evander Kane is slated to start the season on LTIR. He remains a strong, reliable offensive option who, at this time, will likely be asked to slot into the bottom-six forward group once he is healthy.
Overall positive changes to the lineup
With the departure of McLeod, Foegele, and Holloway and the addition of Arvidsson, Skinner, and Podkolzin, it is fair to say that the team is improved offensively.
While they may be in the latter part of their careers, Arvidsson and Skinner represent significant upgrades to Draisaitl’s line composition. He is paired with experienced, offensively-minded and consistent goal-scoring players who can improve the goal output of the second line. Arvidsson is a natural right winger who shoots right and as a result, will seamlessly slot in alongside Skinner and Draisaitl. Skinner brings a natural, lethal shot which is not something that Holloway or Foegele possessed. Barring any injuries, the top two lines have the potential to be among the most explosive top-six groups in the NHL this season.
Having both Arvidsson and Skinner available also opens up a myriad of options for the Oilers’ power play which currently includes slotting them onto their second power play unit.
With such strong potency and focus on the offensive improvement, Knoblauch will need to instill importance of good defensive backchecking for his forward group. This includes the new addition, Jeff Skinner, who is not particularly known for his defensive play.
Slight changes to the top defensive pairings
The top pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard remains put. This duo established themselves as Oilers’ number one defensive pairing. Bouchard exploded offensively last season as he put up an 82-point season while Ekholm remains a consistent, reliable, puck-moving defenceman who the Oilers have been needing over the years. Given their play and chemistry last season and in the playoffs, the expectation is that this top defensive duo will take a step forward in their individual and combined growth.
Darnell Nurse is slotted to pair with Ty Emberson, a new addition for the Oilers. He was acquired in the trade with the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Nurse’s old partner Cody Ceci. Emberson may not be known for his offensive game, but pairing Nurse with a defensive defenceman who plays a stay-at-home game, can help provide some defensive security when Nurse decides to jump up with the puck into offensive zone. Emberson will also prevent some of the blatant odd man rushes and breakaways that the Oilers are known to give up. Compared to Ceci, Emberson lacks the experience and only time will tell if he can continue to build on the season that he just had with the Sharks.
Some more additions to the blueline
After much speculation and following a flurry of moves, Brett Kulak is staying put. He is a responsible and mature defenceman who can occasionally be caught out of position or be burned by a speedy skater. His likely linemate will be Troy Stecher. Stecher is a defensive defenceman that is not particularly known for his puck moving. This pair will be less relied on for offensive production, but can be counted on for stay-at-home shut down play in front of Stuart Skinner.
Josh Brown and Connor Carrick are right shooting defencemen that are currently on the outside looking in. Carrick has spent almost all of his time since 2021 in the AHL, while Josh Brown has been more of a consistent staple in the league since 2018–19. Neither are flashy options. Carrick can move the puck while Brown has a big frame at 6’5” and is not afraid to lay a hit on his opponents. Should Stecher or Emberson falter, the leash may be short to throw one of these guys into the lineup.
Time will tell how the defence shakes up
The biggest change in this offseason defensively is the loss of Philip Broberg. He may not have been viewed as the top Oilers’ prospect and has struggled to find time in the line-up prior to the playoffs. However, his playoff performance looked like a coming-of-age. He displayed tremendous confidence with decision making and puck movement and had the Oilers fans hoping for him to become another consistent staple on the blue line.
In addition, the departure of Vincent Desharnais is important to consider in both how it impacts the 5v5 play as well as the penalty kill. While his right sided shot and tall frame are comparable to those of Josh Brown, Desharnais is also a shut down defenceman who is not afraid to get in the lane. The latter component may be a significant loss for a team that already finished middle of the pack last year in their penalty kill percentage. Stecher, who is slated to take over for Desharnais, may match his defensive component and may be less mistake prone, but he ultimately lacks the size and physicality that Desharnais brings.
Keeping in mind Broberg’s (now departed) potential and the Oilers’ offseason blue line moves, the current blue line does not appear improved and may have even taken a backward step with respect to their physicality and special teams play.
No changes to goaltending
Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are staying put. Skinner’s performance last year at times was Jekyll and Hyde though I am certainly cognizant of the Oilers’ frequent propensity to leave Skinner out to dry on a two-on-one or a breakaway. His performance was questionable early in the playoff rounds, but he was able to compose himself in the latter half, especially as the Oilers were attempting their comeback in the Stanley Cup Finals. Similar to the Janmark-Henrique-Brown line, the hope is that Skinner carries over the playoff momentum into the season and only continues his growth as a full-time starter for the Oilers.
Pickard is a veteran goaltender who can certainly serve as a reliable back-up while also stepping up in the big moments. His play in the Vancouver Canucks series was arguably the turning point for both the Oilers and Skinner in the playoffs as they went on their run. He will be looked to once again shall Skinner begin to falter early in the season or down the stretch.
Goaltending is potentially improved when you factor in playoff experience. Time will tell which version of Stuart Skinner we will see this season, but I am optimistic that this local Edmonton product will remain confident and only keep getting better this season. He appears to have grown mentally and has become more confident in his play. His puck awareness and rebound control may need some work to become consistently good, but if this improves and the Oilers defence can step up in front of him, this former Calder Trophy finalist is poised to have a better year ahead.
It will be exciting to see how the changes play out
Oilers have had a busy offseason, making moves that have undoubtedly made the offence better (Arvidsson and Skinner). Time will tell the impact of the defensive changes and whether Stuart Skinner can build on the his strong performance in the latter half of the playoffs. The team will benefit from so many of its’ Stanley Cup run pieces staying put given the possibility to continue growing together and developing chemistry.
The departures that hurt the Oilers the most are Holloway and Broberg, both of whom who played well in the playoffs but are yet to prove themselves in the regular season. Their value hinges on their potential and the Oilers are in the win-now mode with the changes made.
When factoring the additions that Jeff Jackson (and Stan Bowman) have made in the off-season, I would cautiously argue that this is an overall improved team, at least offensively, giving the Oilers’ fanbase even more reasons to be excited heading into the new season.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
