Almost Decision Time For Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have played some very solid hockey recently, winning games and closing the gap in the playoff push. In most instances, you wouldn’t want to tinker with the lineup, but Todd McLellan will have to tinker with the Oilers lineup as numerous players are set to return soon.

Oscar Klefbom broke a finger on Friday night, but the injury isn’t considered serious and he’s expected to be back very soon. Meanwhile, F’s Benoit Pouliot and Rob Klinkhammer are both skating and close to returning. If not tonight, then Pouliot is likely to play Thursday in Chicago. Klinkhammer likely returns next week.

Nail Yakupov is slated to return right after Christmas, while Connor McDavid could be back as early as New Year’s Eve, about two and a half weeks from now. That’s some serious power coming back for Edmonton.

That means some serious decisions are forth coming.

On Defense:

Something will have to give when Klefbom returns in the next week. Andrej Sekera, Darnell Nurse, Justin Schultz and Klefbom will make up the top-four, while Brandon Davidson has solidified his spot in Edmonton’s line-up. That means one of Nikita Nikitin, Andrew Ference or Eric Gryba needs to move.

Likely decision? Andrew Ference is moved back to the injured reserve with some sort of aliment, just like his previous stint.

Up Front:

Jujhar Khaira has actually played quite well for the Oilers during his recall. He’s been physical, he’s been engaged and his offensive play actually has not been bad. That said, Khaira is the kind of guy that still needs to be developed. He needs to play a featured role in the AHL, not sit in the bottom-six for Edmonton. He doesn’t need waivers either, so he’s an easy send down.

Luke Gazdic has been playing quite a bit recently, and he’s actually looked good. Is it enough to bump Rob Klinkhammer from the roster? I’m not sure, Klink is Chiarelli type guy and Todd McLellan really likes him. That said, his lack of offense probably gets him placed on waivers and sent to the AHL. Klinkhammer needs time to get his game back, and the AHL is the perfect spot to do so.

I’ll also wager that Iiro Pakarinen gets sent to Bakersfield when Nail Yakupov returns. Pakarinen has actually played well, but he does not need waivers and I’m not sure where he fits once Yak gets into the lineup. Yakupov needs top-nine ice time and I don’t think it would help the Finn to play on the fourth line, although I think it would help the Oilers.

Anton Lander could also be in some danger here. He’s played good hockey recently, but he just is not scoring. When McDavid comes back, he’s going to slide right back into the lineup, and I can’t see the Oilers moving Draisaitl to the wing and away from Taylor Hall.

At this point, I’m suggesting Anton Lander could hit the waiver wire. I don’t agree with it, in fact I think it’s a mistake, but I can see the Oilers doing it. Personally, I’d waive the tough guy Gazdic, and I think that would be a consideration too. That said, Edmonton may be able to avoid that decision altogether.

Lineup, At A Glance:

So, if Klinkhammer and Pakarinen end up in Bakersfield and Ference ends up back on the IR, what are we looking at for a lineup?

Taylor Hall – Leon Draisaitl – Teddy Purcell

Benoit Pouliot – Connor McDavid – Nail Yakupov

Matt Hendricks – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle

Lauri Korpikoski – Mark Letestu – Anton Lander

Luke Gazdic

Darnell Nurse – Andrej Sekera

Oscar Klefbom – Justin Schultz

Brandon Davidson – Eric Gryba

Nikita Nikitin

Nilsson / Talbot

That might be Edmonton’s best roster in a solid six or seven seasons. Boy, wouldn’t it be fun to watch the group for 15/20 games?