McDavid and Draisaitl are best duo in league? (Gretzky compares them to Gretzky-Messier)

[Trap Jesus]

The 3 of them also have less points combined (31) than McDrai (32) do without even factoring in that Kassian has another 6 points on that line. Cap hit isn’t the be all end all

Points isn't the be all end all as well though. Bergeron/Marchand is an example of two players being joined at the hip for 10 years and having their skills balance perfectly off each other, doesn't matter if it's at even strength, PP or PK. Marchand gets to take more risks because of Bergeron's stability, and Bergeron gets to simplify his game more offensively because of how good Marchand is at driving play at the other end. Goes together like PB &... Marchand.

Pastrnak is the cherry on top.

 

[HugginThePost]

The 3 of them also have less points combined (31) than McDrai (32) do without even factoring in that Kassian has another 6 points on that line. Cap hit isn’t the be all end all

Ummmmmm.....yes it does. It actually means everything.

If Edmonton had more of it they could actually afford to pay a decent winger to come play with Drai.

They could actually split the pair up and have two scoring lines instead of 80% + of the teams points coming from the first line.

What an odd statement........

 

[McFlash97]

Best duo since Lemieux -Jagr

Duo as in on the same line.

 

[Nadal On Clay]

Draisaitl has never in his career had a winger the caliber of Guentzel/Hornqvist/Nylander/Marner when away from McDavid, though. Nor will be anytime soon. You’re asking for a literal impossibility - go be a 1C with sub replacement level wingers the likes of which *maybe* only
Crosby in his early seasons has ever had to elevate.

Malkin played with subpar wingers pretty much his whole career too. With the exception of of Kessel the last 3 years and Neal c 2012-2014. Heck, he won the Conn-Smythe in 2009 with Fedotenko and Talbot as his 2 wingers.

 

[Ainec]

Malkin played with subpar wingers pretty much his whole career too. With the exception of of Kessel the last 3 years and Neal c 2012-2014. Heck, he won the Conn-Smythe in 2009 with Fedotenko and Talbot as his 2 wingers.

Fedotenko and Talbot are better than Oilers current wingers

 

[TheNumber4]

The problem is Malkin does not need to play on Sid's line to get credit. I am worried Leon's accomplishments will be greatly overshadowed by who he plays with.

I wish the Oilers had enough depth to spread those 2 out, they would actually be the best team in the league easily if they could do it successfully.

Considering plenty teams, plenty elite teams stack the top line I see no problem with McDavid and Drai on the same line. There’s no problem ensuring your 1st line is consistent and potent offensive threat, League seems to think the same look at:
Kucherov-Stamkos
Bergeron-Marchand-Pasta
Tavares-Marner
Mackinnon-Rantanen

 

[The Nuge]

Ummmmmm.....yes it does. It actually means everything.

If Edmonton had more of it they could actually afford to pay a decent winger to come play with Drai.

They could actually split the pair up and have two scoring lines instead of 80% + of the teams points coming from the first line.

What an odd statement........

and neither of them are overpaid, and both are better than any of the other 3...

the cap problems aren’t because of McDrai, and saying you should take worse players because they’re cheaper is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve read

 

[robsenz]

Did Wayne just compare Mcdavid to Brent Gretzky!? He's at it again...

 

[thadd]

Bias aside, it's pretty obvious that they are. 1 half of the duo is widely considered the best player in hockey and the other one scored 50 goals and 105 pts last season. They just need playoff success to cement their status.


Re-acquire Taylor Hall = profit

RNH - McDavid - Neal
Hall - Drai - Chiasson/Kassian

The whole point of putting Kassian one McDavid's wing is that Kassian can skate.
If anything it's

Hall-McDavid-Kassian
RNH-Drai-Chaisson.

Then again, Edmonton can skate a better winger than Chaisson right now. He doesn't even need to be planned into the top 6.
For all we know Edmonton let's Yama play in the top 6 next year given how he's currently tearing the AHL a new hole.

 

[WHISTLERNATE]

Draisaitl with any top 6 winger is at least a ppg player. Draisaitl with a top line winger is a 90 point player. Draisaitl with McDavid is a 100+ point player.

My opinion.

I don't disagree, but will add that playing with an Elite Superstar is not as easy as it sounds. Not everyone can do, Drai does it very well.

I think Edmonton has the best duo by a pretty big margin.

 

[Deen]

The whole point of putting Kassian one McDavid's wing is that Kassian can skate.
If anything it's

Hall-McDavid-Kassian
RNH-Drai-Chaisson.

Then again, Edmonton can skate a better winger than Chaisson right now. He doesn't even need to be planned into the top 6.
For all we know Edmonton let's Yama play in the top 6 next year given how he's currently tearing the AHL a new hole.

He has 5 points in 4 games. I wouldn't go that far.

 

[snag]

How them Flames?

The Oil is on fire while the Flames are running on fumes




Edit to say: not being cocky or anything....it just popped into my head

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Toews and Kane is better.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Draisaitl isn't a cheap-shotting dirtbag, so I don't think the analogy holds.

 

[crowi]

Toews and Kane is better.

When did these two play on the same line last time? I'm honestly asking. Kane is insanely good by himself, a true 1st overall pick.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

When did these two play on the same line last time? I'm honestly asking. Kane is insanely good by himself, a true 1st overall pick.

They played together on the same line often when they first came into the NHL. Their first cup of 3 mainly had Toews and Kane on the same line and they were eventually re-united on their 2nd and 3rd cups.

 

[crowi]

They played together on the same line often when they first came into the NHL. Their first cup of 3 mainly had Toews and Kane on the same line and they were eventually re-united on their 2nd and 3rd cups.

My question did have "last time" in it. Kane is doing what he does without Toews and has been for a long time.

 

[thadd]

He has 5 points in 4 games. I wouldn't go that far.

He's scored a goal in every game so far.

 

[Tralfamadore]

Oilers are sooo freaking lucky they won that McDavid lottery. Where would they be without this guy? They are now first in the league with an abysmal lineup.

 

[BlackDogg]

Oilers are sooo freaking lucky they won that McDavid lottery. Where would they be without this guy? They are now first in the league with an abysmal lineup.

He was pointless tonight.

 

[Tralfamadore]

He was pointless tonight.

So? Still had a big impact on the game.

 

[BlackDogg]

So? Still had a big impact on the game.

Not as big as James Neal

 

[Tralfamadore]

Not as big as James Neal

Also, Draisaitl in an incredible hockey player.

Neal going to keep this up or what?

 

[BlackDogg]

Also, Draisaitl in an incredible hockey player.

Neal going to keep this up or what?

Not the torrid pace he was on, but he should be able to pot one about every 3 games at least - he hit at least one post as well tonight.
He's always in the right place at the right time.

 

[Leafs87]

Gretzky is annoying humble at this point. Sometimes you wonder if he’s being sarcastic. Not so much this specific time but in the past. Even this is pretty far fetch though