The third line centre position remains a point of contention for the Edmonton Oilers. For too long the Oilers haven't been able to ice a scoring third line and a major reason for that is the main pivot on that line has typically been an above average 4th line centre (see Sheahan, Caggiula, Khaira, Letestu, Hendricks, Lander, Belanger, etc).
This past season, nearly 69% of all of the Oilers goals at 5 on 5 came from when McDavid or Draisaitl were on the ice for the Edmonton Oilers. As has been the case for too long, if those two are not on the ice, Edmonton is not going to outscore the opposition. The solutions have could be called band-aid fixes at best as the Oilers have tried to ice defensive units that can eat up minutes while preventing goals. It clearly hasn't worked.
Edmonton needs a third line centre who is capable of driving offense, can play both defensive against the opponents best while also being able to cash in on lesser competition. I am here today to inform you that this option already exists in the Oilers system.
It isn't moving Athanasiou to centre as I have suggested before, nor is it prospects such as Ryan McLeod or Cooper Marody, nor is it expecting someone like Khaira to suddenly fit into that role.
It's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
For a few years now, Oilers fans have discussed the miracle that would be icing three scoring lines each being centred by a player with first line potential; RNH, McDavid, and Draisaitl. Unfortunately poor drafting and bad trades resulted in a complete depletion of wing depth which forced the likes of RNH and Draisaitl at different time to be top six wingers.
With the right moves this summer, Edmonton can add some useful players to the wing, while creating a much more balanced lineup.
I present to you, the current depth chart by moving RNH back to centre.
______ - McDavid - Kassian ______ - Draisaitl - Yamamoto ______ - RNH - Archibald Neal - Haas - Chiasson Nygard
Clearly the team is in need of some left wingers.
A few known commodities do exist to fill these spots such as RFA Andreas Athanasiou as well as pending UFA Tyler Ennis. I do believe that Holland will find a way to sign AA to a one or two year deal worth less than his current 3 million dollar salary. Ennis is a local guy and just had a horrendous injury against the Hawks and I could see him signing another one year deal in the one million dollar range with the Oil.
Externally there are two clear routes; trade or free agency. Let's focus on trade first. I'm not going to propose specific trades aside from saying the Oilers have a number of assets ranging from defensemen like Larsson, Klefbom, Benning, and Nurse to things such as the 14th overall selection in the 2020 Draft.
Teams such as the Penguins, Leafs, and Jets all are looking to shore up their defense after disappointing playoff exits. Names that have been included in trade rumours include Jason Zucker, William Nylander, Andreas Johnsson, and Nikolaj Ehlers. If Holland found a way to make a splash and acquire two of these players, the resulting depth chart would obviously be impressive. Take a look at one example:
Ehlers - McDavid - Kassian Johnsson - Draisaitl - Yamamoto Athanasiou - RNH - Archibald Neal - Haas - Chiasson Nygard
More realistically, Edmonton may not have the assets to make two big splash deals such as that without completely depleting the cupboards. Free agency would allow Holland to fill these positions costing only dollars. Knowing how players and teams will address free agency in a COVID world is still an unknown. A Taylor Hall may be out of the Oilers price range but there is still a list of quality names that could be a perfect fit if the term and cost are right. Mike Hoffman, Alex Galchenyuk, Mikael Granlund, Andre Burakovksy, and Vladislav Namestnikov all come to mind.
Another depth chart scenario:
Hoffman - McDavid - Kassian Galchenyuk - Draisaitl - Yamamoto Athanasiou - RNH - Archibald Neal - Haas - Chiasson Nygard
Mix and match as much as you would like. Perhaps the Oilers sign Hoffman and make a trade for Johnsson or acquire Ehlers and then add Namestnikov in free agency. Regardless under these conditions Holland needs to acquire two forwards; a true bonafide top six player, and a complimentary forward who can fit in a top six role with their best years still ahead of them.
Should Holland find a way to address these two issues, the Oilers will be able to roll out three lines that each provide a scoring threat and a different mix of players. Remember as well, an NHL roster is a fluid thing and this wouldn't mean RNH suddenly is only playing 14 minutes a game. Nuge will still be a staple on the top unit powerplay for starters. More importantly, as games progress Tippett can shift his bench as needed. Down a goal? Throw RNH with Draisaitl and Yamamoto. Leon struggling for a couple games? Move him down and slot up Nuge in his place. Centre depth is a strength for this team and it is about time that they actually make use of it.
One last added bonus of this is the fact that it is a contract year for #93. Moving him into this role would benefit the Oilers as a whole but likely lower his overall point production, making his next contract more team friendly.
The forward core for the Edmonton Oilers is in need of a makeover and it's time that the team started using their centre depth as the strength that it is. Holland needs to get creative on adding two impact wingers and that can finally be a reality.