McDavid's Absence Reveals Oilers' Biggest Weakness

Any team will look worse without their best player.

Obviously. Especially when that player is the best in the world. But in yesterday's McDavid-less loss to Washington, it became increasingly clear that the Oilers need one more scorer.

That need was supposed to be addressed in the offseason with the signing of Jeff Skinner, but he's produced just 15 points in 42 games and has been a healthy scratch more often than not in 2025. Kris Knoblauch's refusal to play Skinner in the top six or on the top powerplay unit even without McDavid in the lineup probably means it's just never going to work out in Edmonton.

Beyond McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers don't have a single forward on pace for 50 points this season. Only Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman are even scoring at a 40-point pace, and they play almost every minute next to the best player on the planet.

It's simple: the Oilers need another scoring threat.

Ideally, they'd acquire someone who can play both centre and left wing, allowing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Vasily Podkolzin to slide down the lineup while also covering centre when McDavid and Draisaitl play together. If not a centre, then a goal-scoring winger is a must.

Thankfully, secondary scoring is always available for a reasonable price at the trade deadline. In terms of centres, Brock Nelson (NYI) and Mikael Granlund (SJ) are both pending UFAs with long histories of point production, Nelson bringing size and Granlund high-end playmaking.

On the wings, the Oilers could target Rickard Rakell (PIT), Gustav Nyquist (NSH), or old friend Taylor Hall (CHI), though only Rakell could be considered primarily a goal-scorer.

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All that being said, the Oilers do already boast a top-ten offence, scoring 3.26 goals per game. But it's a top-heavy offence, and it becomes even more top-heavy when McDavid and Draisaitl are put together.

Secondary scoring is non-negotiable in the playoffs, and what the Oilers have now isn't good enough. Adding a top-six forward would not only improve their top end but also the bottom six as other players move down the lineup, allowing for a more balanced attack.

This has been described as a Cup-or-bust year for Edmonton. It's time for them to put their money where their mouth is and go all in.

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