Pre-season doesn't matter, pre-season doesn't matter, pre-season doesn... OH WOW HOLLOWAY JUST SCORED A HAT TRICK, LOCK HIM INTO THE TOP SIX RIGHT NOW!!!!!
That is how I felt, watching last night's game where Dylan Holloway scored a hat trick, playing in the top six alongside Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman, as did many more people across Twitter and the fanbase. It was an exciting moment as fans began licking their lips in anticipation of having another potential 50+ point player and maybe even a Calder favorite.
But let's pump the brakes a bit here.
The first clip I wanted to show was from a few years back when Anton Lander scored a hat-trick in the pre-season but I couldn't even find that footage. Ironically I could find a clip even older of Magnus Paajarvi scoring a hat-trick in the pre-season versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Pre-season for rookies and prospects is about meeting and trying to exceed every bar placed in front of them and so far Dylan Holloway has done that but it isn't the same as doing it in the regular season. The Oilers ran nearly a full NHL lineup last night while the Canucks put out the below lineup:
Seeing early chemistry starting to form with Draisaitl, Holloway, and Hyman is a great thing to see but it is still far too early to make any sweeping statements or trading players because Holloway is suddenly a true top six forward after one game against an AHL roster.
Of course we are back to the Puljujarvi conversation.
Long term; Holloway proving he is a top six forward, could mean Jesse Puljujarvi is expendable but now is not the time to be making that move. The right side for the Edmonton Oilers is still lacking in proven top six talent. Zach Hyman can play that spot but has stated he prefers the left side. Warren Foegele has been forming some chemistry with RNH and McLeod on the third line which is great but I also wouldn't elevate him higher than that.
Then there is Yamamoto, who looks locked into a spot alongside Connor McDavid and Evander Kane despite having a fairly quiet pre-season as well, aside from one great play on the penalty kill that led to a Draisaitl goal. Yamamoto is a player who always looks like he is involved in the play but relies far too much on more skilled linemates.
Last season in 250 minutes at 5 on 5 without McDavid or Draisaitl on the ice with him, Yamamoto and his line were outscored 6-15. In 145 minutes without McDavid or Draisaitl, Puljujarvi and his linemates broke even at 5-5. In over 100 fewer minutes, JP and his linemates scored at the same rate as Yamamoto while heavily limiting the chances against.
I don't dislike Yamamoto as a player at all. I place him in the same box as Jesse Puljujarvi; young players who need to be more consistent if they want to be a regular top six forward. I like what Puljujarvi does defensively more than what Yamamoto brings, while I like the playmaking ability of Yamamoto more. Moving on from either player right now is a mistake in my opinion.
Depth is the key to winning Stanley Cups. We saw that with the Colorado Avalanche who dominated the Oilers in four games. The idea that discovering you have a good player means you should get rid of another is not a winners mentality.
The Oilers are right up against the cap right now and eventually something is going to have to give but self inflicting these wounds at this time is not the correct call. As we enter the final couple pre-season games it will be interesting to see who shows up and elevates their game and if that carries into the start of the regular season as well.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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