This in from Mark Spector of Sportsnet, the new power play formations on the Edmonton Oilers, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard demoted off the top unit, which has been arguably the best unit in NHL history for the past five seasons:
At Oilers practice, new PP units on display.
1st unit: McDavid, Draisaitl, Arvidsson, Skinner and Ekholm.
2nd unit, RNH, Hyman, Henrique, with Nurse and Bouchard.
My take
1. I can’t recall a major shake-up like this on the top power play unit in years. That’s why this is a shocker.
2. This would make a lot more sense if Edmonton’s power play had been terrible against the Carolina Hurricanes. But it wasn’t. They had five grade A shots and one goal. The top unit looked to be clicking again. That said, Edmonton has just two wins in seven games, so the coaches may be looking to shake up things, and the power play is as good as any place to start.
3. I would not have been surprised to see a tweak to the top power play unit, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins switched out and Jeff Skinner switched in. I’m not sure what to make of these changes. It does give a major boost to Viktor Arvidsson and Skinner. Arvidsson had his best game as an Oiler against Carolina but he still does not have a goal or an assist this year. Perhaps this move is intended to get him going, see if he can put up a goal or two on the power play and get on a hot streak.
4. I like Mattias Ekholm’s game. He’s a strong puck-mover and he’s got a good shot. But he’s no Evan Bouchard. Bouchard is an elite pass and shooter of the puck. It’s hard to imagine he’ll be off the top power play unit for long. As for Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, it could take them a bit longer to work there way back up, depending on how Skinner and Arvidsson do. Arvidsson may prove capable in the net-front role and he’s got a better shot than Hyman. Skinner is much more of a shooter than RNH, but he can also win the puck and pass it. If there’s one player who could stick on the top unit, my bet would be on Skinner.
5. Defensive units are putting more pressure on the Oil’s power play, crowding them along the boards, going after them. McDavid countered this against the Canes with more aggressive play, attacking and deking around defenders. It worked as he orchestrated a give-and-go with Draisaitl and broke in fast to score.
McDavid seems ready to explode on the power play, but I’m not quite as sure about Draisaitl. His shooting has been a bit off so far, with his shot velocity seeming to be down a bit and his shooting accuracy somewhat off.
Staples on politics
Does negativity threaten to blow up Danielle Smith’s leadership and the United Conservatives?
At the Cult of Hockey