Oilers Should Use Simple Hack To Spark Offense

caleb kerney

Tue, Dec 31, 2024, 8:38 p.m.·3 min read

EDMONTON -- Sometimes change is necessary.

The Edmonton Oilers came away with one point in a back-to-back set in California. They dropped a 4-3 game to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and followed that up with a 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

The Oilers have a top-six forward problem. Vasily Podkolzin has been a welcome surprise but shouldn't hold a position at the top of the lineup by default. Jeff Skinner has a history of producing in that role. However, hasn't found his game and has run out of leash with his coach.

This problem leads Kris Knoblauch to combine Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid when the going gets tough. Perhaps a better option is to spread the offense without sacrificing depth on the other forward lines.

Swapping Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Adam Henrique could do the Oilers a lot of good.

Adam Henrique Is Under-Utilized In Current Role

Henrique has been the team's third-line center this season. While he has filled in admirably, that's not where his talents are best utilized.

He is an offensive player and should be deployed as such. Putting Henrique on a line with one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl will definitely spark his offense.

"Not ideal."

Adam Henrique on losing his tooth before the holidays 😂 pic.twitter.com/044tWLgj1B
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 23, 2024

The veteran forward is producing at a 0.28 point-per-game pace. He would finish with 23 points if this continues. Henrique has a career 0.57 point-per-game pace. Last year he experienced his best results when he was in the top-six, regardless of position.

Henrique can meet, and even exceed, his career point pace if he was put on McDavid's wing.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Could Anchor Third Scoring Line

Nugent-Hopkins is a natural center. He has experienced great success on the wing with both McDavid and Draisaitl. It might be time to try him as a third-line center.

So far this season, he has had great Corsi numbers while on a line with either Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin or Podkolzin and Arvidsson.

His results with Podkolzin and Kapanen are the most impressive. As a trio, they have a 60 Corsi For percentage. In raw numbers, they have 12 Corsi For and eight Corsi Against in 13:51 of ice time together.

These positive results warrant more exploration of what this line combination can accomplish. It would be very advantageous if Nugent-Hopkins, Kapanen, and Podkolzin could become the team's third line. They could be deployed in softer minutes and (hopefully) feast on the results.

They Could Have More Patience With Skinner

This swap could also mean they find a more suitable place for Skinner. Now that Arvidsson is on the right track, combining Skinner with Draisaitl and him could reap big dividends.

Skinner is a complimentary piece, as is Arvidsson. But, both players provide different dynamics to a line's construction. Arvidsson has speed and forechecking ability, while Skinner can dance a circle in a phone booth and find open spaces.

If they are put on a line together, they both need to play to their strengths for the entire unit to be successful.

When a team is winning, change isn't necessary. However, change is required if the Oilers want to become the powerhouse that matches the desire of McDavid and Draisaitl.

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