What Now?

A Zack Kassian cheap-shot has turned the Edmonton Oilers world upside down. Center Sam Gagner suffered a broken jaw on a reckless and dangerous high-stick. Kassian meets with the NHL about it on Monday, while Sam Gagner appears destined for surgery. The Oilers say Sam is out indefinitely.

Some reports out there say that Gagner will miss four-to-six weeks, meaning at best Sam returns in November. That’s a huge blow. Normally, any team would be hurting after losing their second line center, but Edmonton is hurting even more so. Top center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could miss a month too, leaving Edmonton with just one NHL center on the roster, Boyd Gordon.

So what now for the Oilers down the middle?

Taylor Hall’s experiment at center is going to last a lot longer than anyone had hoped. He’s looked decent there to start, and will be forced to stay there for the short-term future. Hall fills one of the spots here, but there is still a hole.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and is expected to miss some time. Worst case was November 1st, best case a couple of games. IF it’s best case scenario, we could see Nuge back when Edmonton travels out east for their lengthy road trip. That would be key and would fix the problem.

That being said, there is a very real chance Edmonton plays it smart with RNH and keeps him out until November. If that’s the case, someone needs to step up. Marc Arcobello has done very well in the AHL the last few years, and seems to be a guy the MacT really likes. He could slide into the second line center spot for a little while if need be.

Andrew Miller was sent down today, so consider him a non-option for the time being. That said, if he has a good start to the AHL season, we could see him step in depending how the other options fare.

Jordan Eberle’s name was brought up by Dallas Eakins as a potential winger that could move over. Eberle played some center in junior, so it’s not a totally new position to him. Even so, that’s asking a lot from a guy that has played wing the last number of years to change positions this late in camp.

Lastly, we could see Boyd Gordon step in and play second line minutes, while both Anton Lander and Will Acton make the team in the bottom six. It leaves Edmonton with no depth at the AHL level, and very little room for error up with the big club, but it could work.

There’s the out of organization route too, but I can’t see Edmonton signing any of the free agents left at this point, and I doubt a trade is coming for a player that could fill the spot Gagner leaves.

My bet? Marc Arcobello makes the squad and gets put in a position with some skill. Arco has done very well at the AHL level and continues to improve. While he hasn’t had a great camp, he’s still a skill player and should be able to hold his own for what we hope is a few games.

Edmonton’s best bet is for RNH to return a little bit early from his injury. No, I’m not saying rush the kid, but hope that he’s ready ahead of schedule, which has always been possible.

Back to the hit. I think Kassian should be suspended for that. It was a stupid, reckless, and dangerous play that injured a player. You have to keep control of your stick, and NO player can break someone else’s jaw just by losing control. Kassian didn’t mean to hurt Gagner that bad, but you can tell Zack was looking to send a message.

It was stupid and he should be suspended.

Dale Weise also has a hearing for his near destructive blow to Taylor Hall’s head. I don’t think he’ll get anything, although I would hope he gets a game. If they’re serious about cutting this stuff from the game, send the message.

All I know was that Vancouver’s goon squad tactics from Saturday night have brought the rivalry up another notch, and we haven’t even started the regular season. That’s something.

Last but not least, Bob McKenzie tweeted following a brawl in the Toronto/Buffalo game tonight the following, Oilers related, message:

Is this good time to note EDM, which was looking for super heavyweight BEFORE last night, is now ramping up that search. G’nite. #trolling – @TSNBobMcKenzie

No shock the Oilers are looking for a tough guy, we knew that already. Have to think last night pushed MacT and Eakins over the edge, and that there will be some movement on that front at some point this week.

Only thing I ask, please make sure it’s a player that is not only tough and can fight, but that can actually play hockey and not be a liability to the team every time he touches the ice. The days of Hordichuk and MacIntyre still keep me up at night…..