Oilers Likely To Keep RNH – What Now?

It seems like the Oilers haven’t had solid center depth since the 2005-06 season, which also happens to be the last time the team made the playoffs. That year, the Oilers had Shawn Horcoff, Mike Peca, Jarrett Stoll, Rem Murray, and, until the deadline, Marty Reasoner.

For the upcoming season, the Oilers finally appear to be deep at the position once again. Connor McDavid is a generational talent and will no doubt anchor the top line. Leon Draisaitl scored 51 points in his first full NHL season and will be back in a secondary role this season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, meanwhile, is a tremendous two-way center with some offensive ability and a knack for powerplay production.

Mark Letestu and Anton Lander provide depth to the team, but it is safe to say that neither of them could slide up and fill the shoes that would be left by one of the big three centers. That’s why all the trade talk surrounding Nugent-Hopkins was a little unsettling.

If Edmonton moved Nugent-Hopkins for, say, a player like Tyson Barrie, it would be understandable. The team would be better on defense, no questions asked there. Up front, however, the team would have lost another major weapon and would be extremely inexperienced down the middle. It’s a concern for Oiler fans.

Bob Stauffer has calmed the masses, however, with the following tweets from earlier this afternoon.

FWIW I would be “stunned” If RNH was moved before the start of the season. Fully expect McDavid, Leon and RNH as center options for…

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) July 9, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

…Todd McLellan who has consistently referenced Joe Pavelski when talking about the type of player RNH could become

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) July 9, 2016

You can throw away your RNH-for-Barrie trade ideas (although Barrie could be had for less it seems). The Oilers are content with keeping their depth down the middle and that, folks, is a very good thing.

What Now:

The Oilers will now have the capability of running three lines that can contribute to the offense this season. The McDavid line will be the driver, while RNH is likely to anchor a second unit that should be able to handle the tougher matchups on a nightly basis. RNH and Benoit Pouliot have had some success together in the past.

Draisaitl, then, would be relegated to the third line, a line that could handle softer minutes and easier matchups. That Draisaitl line could also be the perfect fit for Nail Yakupov, who needs a sheltered role to get his confidence back and boost his trade value.

To me, one of the most important aspects of this is the impact it will have on McDavid and Draisaitl. With RNH likely to remain in the fold, both McDavid and Draisaitl can be matched into favorable positions at home. The ability to place RNH in the tough minutes role, which he has experience handling, is a big time tool for Todd McLellan.

The Oilers have already sacrificed Taylor Hall in the name of finding balance and adding to the defense. Sacrificing RNH would create a major hole in the attack and would make a position of strength a position of weakness.

If Stauffer is in fact correct on this item, and I suspect he is, then the Oilers are a better team moving forward.

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js