Edmonton Oilers may have had best line in NHL history last season

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Liam McCormick
July 14, 2024 (3:58 PM)

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This Oilers season was truly amazing to watch from start to finish, and one of the best aspects of the team this year was the top line of Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, and Hyman - arguably one of the greatest lines in NHL history.

Oilers writer Zach Laing brought up the idea that the top line this year may have had the most dominant stretch of hockey in NHL history from one line. Laing drew a comparison to the Red Wings top line in 2001-02 with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Hull - and the Oilers top line this year outscored them by 18 points in their best stretch.

By nearly every metric this year, the Oilers top line was the best line in hockey. It shouldn't be a surprise given that Connor McDavid is playing on the line, but the elite production from Zach Hyman and the reliability of Nugent-Hopkins perfectly complimented each other, and led to incredible success. Not only that, but Leon Draisaitl didn't need to play with McDavid to win the Oilers games, and their lineup was much deeper because of it.

For the start of next season, Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, and Hyman should be pencilled in for the top line without question. Leon Draisaitl will finally have some elite talent on his wings too with the additions of Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson.

The Oilers already had their offensive firepower carry a flawed roster to the Stanley Cup Final last year, and made incredible additions this offseason. With these moves, a full head of Kris Knoblauch, and the motivation of last year's defeat, the Oilers are looking like a sure thing to make it back to the Cup Final, and win it next time.

Source: Zach Laing

Oilers top line last season was among best in NHL history