Blessing From Above – The Oilers Fourth Line

For years and years, Oiler fans and bloggers alike complained about the team’s fourth line. It seems like a minor issue to get angry about, but it was a major liability for a hockey team that simply needed all hands on deck just to compete year in and year out. It seemed like, for the last five years, that every time Edmonton’s fourth line went on the ice, the puck wouldn’t leave the defensive zone, and a massive number of goals against would follow.

This year, for the first time in likely nine years, Edmonton’s fourth line is not a liability, in fact it is far from it. The fourth line brings toughness, players willing to drop the gloves, the sandpaper aspect Edmonton loves, size, solid defensive play, and yes, even a little bit of offense. It’s been really fun to watch this fourth line, which is like a line from the hard-working 2006 team that lives in Oilers legacy.

What Has Changed?:

The Oilers are actually employing three legit hockey players on this line. It seems like an easy enough concept, but this is a team that shot itself in the foot for years throwing out players like Steve MacIntyre, Zack Stortini, Mike Brown, and most recently, Luke Gazdic. Those are all character guys, but none of them could play NHL hockey. That’s a major change.

Edmonton’s got a legit defensive specialist at center too. In years past, it’s been players that were either too old like Eric Belanger, or not good enough for the top six like Gilbert Brule a few years back. This year, it’s a guy that is a defensive stalwart in Boyd Gordon who does all the little things right. It’s a welcomed changed for a hockey club that hasn’t had a center like this in years.

Edmonton’s not only employing character players, but also employing people with actual NHL ability. That’s the real big change from year over year, and it’s made a massive difference.

Why The Love?:

Lets go player by player here, shall we?

Matt Hendricks is a guy that has a terrible contract, yes, but he’s a guy that provides a lot to Edmonton. He’s a legit NHL veteran and a leader, and is a guy more than willing to get physical with everyone and anyone. He provides the team with the needed sandpaper, and is also a very solid defensive forward. He’s willing to drop the gloves, and has some really good hands believe it or not. He won’t score a ton, but isn’t a black hole.

Boyd Gordon is a godsend to this hockey team. He’s the toughest guy on the team, willing to block just about every single shot he can. He’s a typical MacT player, he will give up the body. Defensively he is the best forward Edmonton has, and he’s an absolute beast in the faceoff circle. Gordon also likes to play a physical game, and provides Edmonton with a calming and physical presence.

Jesse Joensuu is a beautiful add to this roster. Joensuu hits everything that moves out there, and is arguably the most physical of the three on nights when he is totally involved in the game. He’s a guy that has a vastly improved defensive game over years past, and is a player that has learned to use his size in front of the net offensively, and to clear the net defensively. Joensuu is also the best offensive player of the three.

All three of these guys also handle work on Edmonton’s penalty kill, which has been much improved this season as a result. Last year, Joensuu and Hendricks weren’t there when the wheels came flying off the season just about ten games into things. All of these guys also handle an insanely tough zone start percentage, which sees them start a vast majority of their shifts in the defensive zone. It’s not an easy task, but they handle it.

The most important reason why I am showing the love? These guys are far from a liability, and don’t bleed chances and goals against like fourth lines of years past in Edmonton. Not only that, but these guys are trusted in close games to seal the deal. Having a veteran line like this that you can trust to close a game out is a massive advantage.

This line won’t push Edmonton into the playoffs, but it’s part of the reason why they seem to be an improved team this year over last. Having a fourth line that can actually play is massive, and Edmonton is finally realizing this. It’s a small step, but it’s a good step.