One of the most uncertain parts of the Edmonton Oilers’ lineup is their third line centre position. Going into the season, no one really knew who would take on that role full time. Multiple players have played in that position, but no one has stuck.
With the first half of the season complete, should the Oilers worry about this uncertainty? A valuable third line centre can make a huge difference, especially in the playoffs. Should management look to find a new player via trade? Or do they have third line centre in the organization?
Looking from within the organization
In the current roster, the Oilers realistically have many options for third line centre. These include:
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
- Matthew Savoie
- Quinn Hutson
- Adam Henrique
- Jack Roslovic
All of these players could occupy the position, but who deserves the role full time? Well, in my opinion, Quinn Hutson deserves to be in the NHL. The 24-year-old recently signed a two-year extension to remain with the Oilers organization. With that, he has solidified his chance to become a full time Edmonton Oiler. His play in the AHL has been phenomenal as he currently has thirty eight points in thirty games. Hutson is the type of player the Oilers need.
Now, the strongest player to play in this position would be Nugent-Hopkins. He has the best experience out of the potential options and provides excellent depth to the lineup. With Connor McDavid, LEon Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins as the first three centres, the Oilers have the best centre depth in the league. Roslovic is also a great choice; he has played this position in the year prior and has had an excellent season as an Oiler.
Matthew Savoie and Adam Henrique are two options that I would recommend staying away from. Naturally, Savoie belongs on the wing, at least at this point in his career. Meanwhile, Henrique has seen better days. The NHL veteran probably makes the most sense to centre the Oilers’ fourth line for the remainder of the season. Henrique was recently put on LTIR, so that fourth line role may be awarded to Curtis Lazar in the meantime.
Who they could acquire via trade
Looking around the current NHL, there are some potential players that the Oilers could pursue. Many teams have failed to live up to expectations and may become surprise sellers as the season wears on. Here are a few players that the Oilers could go after.
Morgan Barron, Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have had a brutal season. They currently sit second last in the NHL, being one of the favourites to land Gavin McKenna. If this continues for the remainder of the season, they may look to sell early on. One of the players who could be moved is depth forward Morgan Barron. He is 27-years-old and can serve as a valuable depth piece. Barron makes just under $2M a year, making him a cheaper option. His tough play and penalty killing abilities would make him an excellent addition to the Oilers.
Michael Amadio, Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are another team in the midst of a disaster. With all of the rumours going around, it would be no surprise if this team completely falls off this season. If that were to continue, the Senators could be another team willing to sell. This team has a couple of options the Oilers could pursue, and Michael Amadio could be a solid acquisition. Amadio had some great seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, as he had his two best scoring seasons. He makes $2.6M a year, so he would be a somewhat expensive addition.
Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets
A name that has recently been swarming around in trade rumours is Boone Jenner. He has been an option that many believe would be a good fit. Jenner is a veteran player who has spent his entire thirteen year career with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is the current captain and the heart and soul of the organization. Jenner is exactly what the Oilers need. A gutsy kind of player that leaves everything on the ice. He is in the final season of his contract with a $3.750M cap hit. This deal contains an eight-team no-trade list, so Jenner would need to be willing to head over to Oil Country.
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Roll with a kid line
An option that I think the Oilers should roll with is a kid line. The line would include the young forwards of Savoie, Howard, and Hutson. This is absolutely something that the fanbase would enjoy, as the young guns have not gotten the opportunities they deserve. In order for this line to get some action, Andrew Mangiapane must be traded. He takes up a roster spot, which limits other players from getting ice time.
Having a kid line in place would help give the team a boost of energy. These guys are young and excited to be playing in the NHL. This excitement could hopefully translate to everyone else in the lineup, which is needed during the dog days of the season. Obviously, a kid line would likely make some mistakes, but the Oilers do not need to worry about that. With the run that Connor McDavid has been on, no other offence can match this team.
Do you think running a kid line would be worth it, at least for a little while?
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
well the stupid management had traded away their future 3C for a failed prospect aka AHL star Howard