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More Trade Deadline Thoughts |
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With over a week of not being able to discuss any NHL games, our attention should be on the coming months and into the post-season. Yes, we can firmly discuss the Edmonton Oilers as a playoff candidate. This isn't me guaranteeing an appearance (some of you know what happened the last time I made a guarantee) but the team will be in the conversation.
Parity exists across the board in today's NHL and with the difference between 1st and 5th the width of a hair in the Pacific. Teams are going to want to make additions earlier than the end of February in order to give them that push to secure a playoff spot and that sweet sweet post-season revenue.
Last week, I brought up a few names that should be of interest to the Oilers; this time is less about names and more about delving into the argument for which position Holland should try and bolster.
First, let's look at what the Oilers roster should look like once they return to game action:
Neal-McDavid-Kassian
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Nygard-Haas-Chiasson
Gagner-Sheahan-Archibald
Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Bear
Russell-Jones
Benning
Koskinen
Smith
Once Kassian returns from his suspension he should return to his spot beside McDavid, with Archibald going back to his spot next to Sheahan where the two have been excellent recently together.
Sam Gagner and Nygard have both found the scoresheet recently and I don't see any reason why Jujhar Khaira will get into the lineup in the place of either player.
There is no ETA on how long Matt Benning will be in the AHL on his conditioning stint and once he is ready to return the team will have some decisions to make.
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Realistically, there are two areas that Holland may address before the deadline; a top 6 winger or a third line centre. In a perfect world, the Oilers would find a way to address both but the fact that I don't live in a castle with a moat is a clear indicator that we don't live in a perfect world. Arguments have been made for the importance of one over the other.
"EDMONTON NEEDS A TOP 6 FORWARD!"
For a long period of time this season, a top 6 forward was unarguably the most dire need for this team. When Tippett was running Draisaitl and McDavid together the rest of the team had fallen off a cliff in terms of production. Edmonton needed a top 6 winger to play alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Yamamoto and some line shuffling has shifted that narrative. Edmonton still needs proven scoring wingers but now next to Connor McDavid instead. James Neal is a solid option on the powerplay but far less so at even strength. We have still seen McDavid be the elite player he is with Kassian and Neal as his linemates but a true scoring forward next to him would give the Oilers two lines that can both produce at a top line pace.
Trickle-down economics doesn't work in actuality but does when talking about roster depth. Adding a forward for the top 6 would likely mean moving James Neal down to a third line, having Neal as opposed to say Alex Chiasson would be an upgrade here as well.
"THE OILERS NEED A THIRD LINE CENTRE"
For this entire season, the Edmonton Oilers have essentially ran two fourth lines as their bottom six. Archibald and Sheahan together are providing the team with a very good fourth line duo, but really none of the players in this mix would be third liners on the elite teams around the league.
A third line that can take the softer minutes and outscore the opposition is something that has eluded Edmonton for years. Trading away Ryan Strome was a terrible decision that has yet to be rectified by this organization as they have been looking for his replacement ever since.
Teams will always zero in their best players against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Having a player centre a third line with 15-20 goal potential can be a massive boost, especially in the post=season.
This option becomes more enticing with the assumption that the Oilers will recall Tyler Benson after the All-Star Break. Benson is not the fastest player, but he is strong on the puck and a brilliant playmaker. If Holland believes Benson is ready to make the jump and can start him on a third line with an offensively equipped centre, the Oilers will have a brand new dynamic to their roster.
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WHICH SHOULD IT BE?
Gun to my head if I had to choose, I would go for the third line centre. The second line is buzzing and producing and McDavid can make magic happen regardless of the anchors he is playing with. No one says Tippett can't stack a line with McDavid and Drai in the third period if the Oilers are down by one either.
Cost is a factor here as well. The skilled top 6 wingers that will be available at the deadline will likely be worth 1st or 2nd round picks, something Holland for better or worse is shying away from. The right third line centre (not Pageau) could be had for less.
What are your thoughts? If Edmonton could only add to one spot, would you prefer it be a winger or a centre?
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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