Despite strong start, Oilers need bottom-six contributions to sustain success

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The big boys have all produced so far this season for the Oilers. Below that however, it’s been a failure. Edmonton needs more players to help Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl win games to avoid last season's playoff result. (SportsnetSpec)

They need more production from more people, and so far, we haven’t seen much improvement, despite the 16-7 record.

The Oilers needed help in their Top 6 so that the two superstar centres could play apart more often, and general manager Ken Holland obliged by signing. The left winger has been a brilliant add to the top line, pushing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to Draisaitl’s left flank, and the maturation of right winger Jesse Puljujarvi has created a functional Top 6 with five players who nobody would disagree belong up there.

“We’ve got too many guys who aren’t contributing enough to help us here,” Tippett said after Sunday’s 5-1 loss to Los Angeles. “We need some more throughout our lineup.” Edmonton has struggled at five-on-five, a bad sign for a team that wants to win playoff games, where powerplays tend to become infrequent. And their starts have been brutal, scoring the first goal in just nine of 23 games this season.

So, if we’re willing to say the Oilers Top 6 is — all in all — pretty good, let’s look at where the help isn’t coming from.

 

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Spec Start benching guys and start bringing up from the A. The bottom is atrocious!

Spec Yes yes and yes. Bottom six are a problem for the oilers. I do disagree about Benson. He has not proven himself in the bottom six I don't see where he would be capable in a top six somewhere.

Spec At some point, given the way so many players crater once they get into EDMs bottom-6, you gotta wonder if it is the system, the coach, or the 2 and 3 defense pairings

Spec Sure ok... but hey, some 'unbiased & consistent' officiating seems to be the biggest missing element. 🤷‍♂️

Spec

Spec Maybe they’re waiting for their “Yzerman moment” ha

Spec Kassian has just as many if not MORE goals /points as 90% of NHLs 3rd liners .

Spec Spec banged it home with this article. All of his points are legit.

Spec Pretty obvious the Oilers need to upgrade their bottom 2 forward lines. They consistently get out scored almost 2-1. Holloway and Archibald should help once back. Still however need to make two more depth trades IMO. Need some size and a centre.

Spec Nothing like 25 games into a season for know it all fans to turn on the team and so called journalists to write click bait pieces.

Spec Light a candle, say a prayer, sacrifice some beets, the Oilers bottom six is cursed and you won't convince me otherwise.

Spec Spec, Kassian is a 27 point, inconsistent player. He is on pace for 38 points and playing inconsistently. Why is that contract Kassians fault?

Spec The team is on one of their best start of the year! A 'failure' is a bit much of a verdict. They are in a lull yes but not a failure ffs. Injuries has affected the dynamics with the team but it will come back because these players are way better than they are right now.

Spec Same problem as last year then 😂 ken Holland didn’t go jack shit then

Spec 😂 One Line Team. Imagine either of those two missing any time to injury 🥶 LetsGoOilers

Spec 1 correction: Its two years after this one for Kassian I believe 😬

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