One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the separation of the Oilers' star tandem, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid will take charge of one line, flanked by Ryan McLeod on the left and Zach Hyman on the right.
On the flip side, Draisaitl is slated to anchor the second line, with up-and-coming talent Dylan Holloway on his left and Warren Foegele on his right.
Taking a closer look at the practice lines, it's evident that Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are being moved down to the third line. Joining them on the right wing will be Sam Gagner. This trio had been working together in a second-line capacity recently, showcasing promising chemistry.
Meanwhile, the fourth line remains consistent, featuring rookies Raphael Lavoie and James Hamblin alongside the veteran presence of Derek Ryan.
Of particular note is Holloway's ascent to the top six alongside Draisaitl, which has raised eyebrows. Although the 22-year-old forward has displayed promise this season, he has yet to find the scoresheet in the first 11 games. Notably, his ice time was limited during the game against the Nashville Predators, where he saw just over six minutes of play.
However, Holloway demonstrated his potential in a recent matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, hinting that Woodcroft's adjustments could yield positive results. Oilers fans are eagerly anticipating how these new line combinations will perform and whether they can provide the spark needed to reverse the team's fortunes and return to their winning ways.
As seen on Dailyhive
POLL | ||
Do you think splitting up McDavid and Draisaitl is the right move? | ||
Yes | 182 | 62.1 % |
No | 111 | 37.9 % |
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