Line Combos: What’s the roster looking like

[Bryanbryoil]

The ship has sailed on Athanasiou. At this point if Holland is spending anymore money on free agents it needs to be to address the other side of the puck. The Oilers were a middle of the back team at 5v5 goals for this past season. Holland has hopefully made some moves that can bump us into the top 10 or so.

We were the 6th worst team in the league in 5v5 GA. Turris and Barrie do nothing to help with that and AA and Gustaffson would both just compound the problem.

Any additions need to be focused on guys who can help look after our own end, or at the very least be counted on to outscore whoever they're out against at 5v5.

We've also already lost Sheahan on the PK, can't really afford to lose Khaira as well. Not without a replacement.

Who do you have in mind?

 

[Spawn]

Who do you have in mind?

I'm joking about shipping out Russell and signing Chara in the rumours thread

But with the exception of a #7/8 d-man with some experience to fill in should Lagesson fail to grab the spot I think Holland is done. I doubt he uses all of Klefbom's LTIR in case there is a chance Klef is back near the end of the season.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Duclair - McDavid - Kassian
DRY
Ennis - Turris - Pulju
Nygard - Haas - Archibald

Nurse - Bear
Jones - Larsson
Russell - Barrie

I would love that, but I don’t think you’re signing Duclair + Bear for a combined $4.5MM.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

With Nygard likely out to start the season, one path they could go down is keeping the Neal-Khaira-Chiasson line (whom I thought were super effective down the stretch and in the play-in) together.

But how does that impact the rest of the roster?

First off, it leaves you Ennis and Archibald to form a speed based energy/checking line in the bottom 6. Would that fit with Turris in the middle?

Also let's assume they keep the DRY line together; that leaves you with Puljujarvi and Kassian to flank McDavid. Not the best, but I honestly don't hate it.

A bit like Drai, Pulju could work there due to the fact he's got the speed and skill to keep up with McDavid, but also the size to cycle down low with Kassian. If they can be a poor-man's version of the 16-17 top line, that's perfect as a second line behind DRY. You can also rotate in Neal and Chiasson to reward good play, and keep everyone on their toes.

RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Kassian-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Ennis-Turris-Archibald
Neal-Khaira-Chiasson

PB: Haas, Russell
IR: Nygard

Honestly, I really like it. A nice blend of speed, skill, and size.

 

[canhi80]

I'm hoping to see Benson graduate this year. He seemed pretty tentative last season, so hopefully, a pre-season stapled to McDavid or Turris would allow him to be comfortable, build confidence and develop chemistry. It's a big ask, but I think we have the options to manage if it doesn't work.

RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Benson-McDavid-Kassian
Ennis-Turris-Pulijujarvi
Neal-Haas-Archibald
Nygard/Khaira

I think the Barrie signing is good for the development of Bouchard. We'll be able to ease him in without having the unrealistic expectations of stepping in as our PP specialist. I really wouldn't mind him having more games in the AHL this season than the NHL.

Nurse-Bear
Jones-Larsson
Russell-Barrie
Lagesson/Bouchard

 

[jukon]

RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Neal-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Ennis-Turris-Archibald
Kassian-Khaira-Chiasson

Nurse-Barrie
Russell-Bear
Jones-Larsson
Bouchard

Koski
Smith

I would probably roll something like this depending on how players gain chemistry.

1F- Don't mess with what was the hottest line in hockey.
2F- Out of who remains, Neal and Jesse probably have the highest offensive ceiling. Both can reasonably be expected to score 15-20 goals, add in the McDavid factor and they have a chance to score closer to 30.
3F- A speedy line that is a threat to score. Wingers will probably swap to the McDavid line when they are on a cold streak.
4F- Big strong energy line. Should be able to cycle effectively and keep pressure in the o-zone.

D- I would try Barrie on the top pairing and give him a really long leash. I would like to keep Russell and Larsson apart as they are both black holes for offence but honestly the whole defence will be a blender until you find out who is effective together. Perhaps it's good to put Russell and Larsson together to be a shutdown pair with all of the d-zone starts. Hopefully Bouchard is ready for a spot and we can send Larsson to a team which has a critical injury that isn't easily filled by depth.

I would start relying on Koskinen more. If he isn't capable of being relied up on as better than Smith or having a heavier workload than Smith, then he has no future here.

 

[LTIR]

I would love that, but I don’t think you’re signing Duclair + Bear for a combined $4.5MM.

Duclair is behind Hall, Toffoli, Hoffman with not many team with a need nor capspace. Guys like him, Kahun and Athanasiou will not be getting much I think.

 

[Cloned]

I would love that, but I don’t think you’re signing Duclair + Bear for a combined $4.5MM.

One can dream!

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[Oilhawks]

Not bad, but wonder who PKs in those top 4 lines. Also an all RH shot third line is...interesting. Funny how many more RH shot Oilers going into the season.

 

[ujju2]

Kassian-McDavid-Puljujarvi
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Ennis-Turris-Neal
Khaira-Haas-Archibald
Chiasson, Nygard

Nurse-Barrie
Jones-Bear
Broberg-Larsson
Russell

Koskinen
Smith

 

[shoop]

How much is Kahun looking for? His numbers and Draisaitls were crazy in Germany

He made $925K last year. Can't see him being too expensive.

fwiw I think Kahun is the only reason to breakup the DRY line. A known quantity who has proven his ability to work with Draisaitl.

 

[majormajor]

I suspect we'll see RNH getting shifted back and forth to try and help both McDavid and Draisaitl's lines.

RNH/Ennis - McDavid - Kassian
RNH/Ennis - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Archibald - Turris - Puljujarvi
Neal - Khaira - Chiasson

Nurse - Bear
Jones - Larsson
Russell - Barrie

I was more on board with getting Wennberg than Turris, I think a low-event center would be better for the Oilers at 3C. In any case Turris will need some strong defensive wingers and so I'd rather him have Archibald and Puljujarvi (I think he could be strong defensively) and not Neal or Ennis or something like that.

It's a very imperfect roster, and there's still $2m in cap room. The goaltending is the scary part, I don't know why Mike Smith was brought back. But the conference is weak and the Oilers should be in playoff position around the deadline when they'll have Klefbom back hopefully with a fixed shoulder, and they would be able to move Russell/Chiasson++ for an upgrade at the deadline. At that point I'd be gung-ho to get a strong two-way forward with playoff experience (e.g. Silfverberg). This roster will have to make-do until then.

 

[Soundwave]

I suspect we'll see RNH getting shifted back and forth to try and help both McDavid and Draisaitl's lines.

RNH/Ennis - McDavid - Kassian
RNH/Ennis - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Archibald - Turris - Puljujarvi
Neal - Khaira - Chiasson

Nurse - Bear
Jones - Larsson
Russell - Barrie

I was more on board with getting Wennberg than Turris, I think a low-event center would be better for the Oilers at 3C. In any case Turris will need some strong defensive wingers and so I'd rather him have Archibald and Puljujarvi (I think he could be strong defensively) and not Neal or Ennis or something like that.

It's a very imperfect roster, and there's still $2m in cap room. The goaltending is the scary part, I don't know why Mike Smith was brought back. But the conference is weak and the Oilers should be in playoff position around the deadline when they'll have Klefbom back hopefully with a fixed shoulder, and they would be able to move Russell/Chiasson++ for an upgrade at the deadline. At that point I'd be gung-ho to get a strong two-way forward with playoff experience (e.g. Silfverberg). This roster will have to make-do until then.

Think we will go for a goalie at the trade deadline.

 

[Soundwave]

Turris should be given a look with McDavid just to see if it clicks, we didn't try it with Strome and that was a mistake.

 

[Chabot84]

Turris should be given a look with McDavid just to see if it clicks, we didn't try it with Strome and that was a mistake.

ding! Ding! Ding!

100% I know Turris has the IQ to play with Mcdavid... would be a huge shame to not try this out!

I don’t care about the 3C hole figure it out!

 

[Chabot84]

Turris - Mcdavid - Kassian / Pulju
Hopkins - Draisaitl - Yamamoto

Leaves the Bottom six a little bit of a mess.

maybe Oilers aren’t done yet! Give me a 3C

but that top 6 has potential to be dynamite

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Neal-McDavid-Kassian
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Ennis-Turris-Puljujarvi
Archibald-Khaira-Chiasson
Nygard/Haas

Nurse-Barrie
Russell-Bear
Jones-Larsson
Vet D signing. Holland wont let Bouchard or Broberg rot in the press box.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

Neal-McDavid--Puljujarvi
Rnh-Draisaitl-yamamoto
Ennis-turris-kassian
Nygard-haas-chiasson
Archibald, khaira

Nurse-Bear
Russell- Bouchard
Jones-Barrie
Larsson, klefbom

 

[jukon]

I know that Russell and Jones are comfortable playing LD or RD. Do any of the other defensemen have experience playing on their offside? I recall something about Bear playing his offside in the past, is that right? With Klef potentially out long term, our right side is deeper than our left. Who would move over in case of injury?

 

[ConnorMcNugesaitl]

I still think McDavid plays with one of Nugent-Hopkins or Draisaitl anything less is just tying two anchors to him and expecting to drag them to success which even McJesus hasn't shown the ability to do.

I'm not entirely married to the idea of Draisaitl centering his own now that they've got some depth to round out the other lines.

Just for arguments sake.

Draisaitl McDavid Kassian

Nygard? Nuge Yamamoto

Ennis Turris Puljujarvi

Neal Khaira Chiasson/Archibald.

 

[tardigrade81]

Overall I’m very pleased with what Holland has done outside of the Smith signing. How would you like to see the roster lines?

Archibald - McDavid - Puljujarvi
RNH - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Ennis - Turris - Kassian
Neal - McLeod/Haas- Chiasson

Nurse - Bear
Jones - Larsson
Russell - Barrie

Koskinen
Smith

Klefbom LTIR. If at some point he’s ready move out Russell.
Trade away Kharia. 7th rounder anyone?
Cross fingers one of Broberg or Bouchard probes ready and takes a spot in the lineup

Is this close to the roster we will see or do you think Holland still has a big move up his sleeve?

So you’re telling me there’s a chance!!

 

[shoop]

Just for arguments sake.

Draisaitl McDavid Kassian

Because you want to return to 18/19 and 19/20 wit McDavid and Draisaitl insisting on playing together, which meant missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons?

 

[LTIR]

Because you want to return to 18/19 and 19/20 wit McDavid and Draisaitl insisting on playing together, which meant missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons?

Oilers are deeper now so that is still an option

Neal, Chiasson, RNH,Pulju,Yama, Turris and Ennis would be behind the Drai-McD-Kass line

 

[AddyTheWrath]

Oilers are deeper now so that is still an option

Neal, Chiasson, RNH,Pulju,Yama, Turris and Ennis would be behind the Drai-McD-Kass line

I think McDavid and Draisaitl together for the entire game is actually a negative for the team overall. Good in short spurts, but they cheat too much for offense and that might lead to bad habits.

I'd rather Tippet stick with the formula of Draisaitl and McDavid on separate lines, letting DRY take the hard matchups so Connor can feast on the second/third pairs. Throw Drai-McDavid in there close to the end of the period, when the opponent ices the puck, or when the net is empty to throw a wrinkle in line matchups and to try and take advantage of a tired/disadvantaged group.