Leon Draisaitl is one of best players in the world. That's a fact. Obviously I would prefer him to be 100% healthy and in the lineup. However, with his injury, its forced the coaching to staff to be more focused on the other players wearing the Oilers jersey.
Better ice time distribution
I've been saying it all year. If the coaching staff want a cohesive and united team, the players in the lineup need to play and have a defined role.
This is what's been happening in the last couple of weeks. Players like Kapenen, Rolslovic, Podkolzin. Frederic, Jones and Savoie have been playing fantastic hockey.Furthermore the additions of Dickenson and Murphy have really helped gel the lineup.
I'm convinced this is because they is no longer a fear of being a healthy scratch or riding the bench for not putting up points. These players can play the game with a clear mindset of what is expected of them and they finally look like they are having fun. A good example of what I'm talking about are the comments made by Cole Caufield on reaching 50 goals.
I really liked his answer as it's clear how the Habs operate. Everyone has a job and the only thing they are concerned about is winning, not putting up points.
This is something the Oilers need to adapt in their mindset. It's not about goals or point or trying to get the puck to McDavid constantly so he can get another Art Ross (Connor has been tremendous). When you have the mindset the Habs have, it translates to confident play on the ice. This is what I've been seeing from the Oilers, and when Draisaitl returns in the playoffs (hopefully) The coaching staff needs to continue to send the message that all the players on the team have value and they can't be benched every time they go down a couple of goals and stack a line.
There are a lot of good hockey players on the Edmonton Oilers, and the coaching staff needs to make them believe that. When there is a lead to defend or a goal that needs to be scored its not always up to Connor and Leon, it's up to all of them, it's up to the team.