Oilers debut new look second line at practices before training camp
Training camp hasn't officially begun yet, but the Edmonton Oilers are already looking to dial in their line combinations for the upcoming season - including an exciting new second line.
Leon Draisaitl has rarely centered a second line in Edmonton with two quality wingers beside him. When the Oilers signed Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson, they immediately seemed like prime candidates to be Draisaitl's long term wingers. Now, Tony Brar is reporting that the Oilers are already in trying out that line combination in informal practices before training camp.
»Also, for whatever it's worth:
Skinner - Draisaitl - Arvidsson are skating together during skate.»
- Tony Brad
Skinner - Draisaitl - Arvidsson are skating together during skate.»
- Tony Brad
With Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson, the Oilers second line could be just as dominant as their first line. Skinner is now an older player at 32 years old, but is only one year removed from a point per game season, and has scored over 30 goals 6 times in his career. Arvidsson is coming off a tough year where he only played 18 games, but has scored at a consistent rate through his entire career. Leon Draisaitl on his own can anchor a competitive second line, but with two scoring threats beside him, they could be an offensive match for any other team's first line. The only concern may be team defence with three offensive players paired together.
This season, the Oilers will have the deepest forward group in the McDavid era, and they'll have plenty of time to try out line combinations in preseason and regular season games. They may even get deeper as the season progresses, as they make more trades closer to the deadline and Evander Kane returns from injury.
The Oilers new additions along with the seasoned group of veterans motivated to get back to the Stanley Cup Final should have fans absolutely pumped for the upcoming season.
Source for Stats: PuckPedia - Edmonton Oilers
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers will use Skinner - Draisaitl - Arvidsson as their second line? | ||
| Yes, that will be their main second line | 235 | 81.6 % |
| No, doesn't have any defensive strength | 34 | 11.8 % |
| See Results | 19 | 6.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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