{"id":1224032,"date":"2021-07-21T15:58:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T19:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/?p=1224032"},"modified":"2021-07-21T19:02:12","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T23:02:12","slug":"oilers-off-season-targets-third-line-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/oilers-off-season-targets-third-line-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Oilers Off-Season Targets: Third Line Center"},"content":{"rendered":"
One area of significant weakness for the Edmonton Oilers a season ago was center ice. Strange to say when the club employs Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the top two lines, but it was true in 2020-21. For all of the outscoring the top-six centers did, the bottom-six group gave it back and then some. It’s how the Oilers finished the season -1 in five-on-five goal differential.<\/p>\n
Ryan McLeod, a second year pro who had an outstanding AHL season, was recalled and played the last ten games of the regular season. McLeod was solid in possession, but managed just a single assist in his outings.<\/p>\n
McLeod is a good, young two-way player, but he’s not ready to be the third line center just yet. He should be written in as the fourth line center, and anything better in 2021-22 should be considered extra.<\/p>\n
That means GM Ken Holland will need to address this area via either trade or free agency in the coming weeks. It’s a priority for the club.<\/p>\n
Ryan Getzlaf (UFA, Anaheim Ducks):\u00a0<\/strong>Getzlaf isn’t the most realistic option, but he’s the dream scenario for Holland. A veteran with a Stanley Cup ring and multiple Olympic Gold Medals, Getzlaf is set to hit the market on July 28th. Many believe he will stay in Anaheim, or shift to nearby Las Vegas, but could a return to Western Canada be in the cards?<\/p>\n Getzlaf managed just 17 points (5 g, 12 a) in 48 games with the Ducks this past season, the worst output of his career by a wide margin.<\/p>\n Even though the points weren’t there, Getzlaf was actually a strong possession player on one of the league’s worst teams. He posted a 51.75% Corsi For and 50.90% Fenwick For. It was the fifth best Corsi rating on the entire team.<\/p>\n With Getzlaf on the ice at even strength, the puck was moving in the right direction. The Ducks got 50.17% of the shots, 51.85% of the scoring chances and 47.81% of the high-danger scoring chances with Getzlaf at even strength. They managed only 40% of the goals, but Getzlaf did have an xGF% (expected goals) of 49.57%. He was certainly running in bad luck.<\/p>\n If Holland wants to add another veteran to the locker room while also giving his team a little more size and toughness, Getzlaf is a perfect addition. It also helps that his xGF% of 49.57% would tower over most of the club’s bottom-six from a season ago.<\/p>\n (All numbers in this piece are via Natural Stat Trick<\/a>)<\/p>\n Getzlaf can still play, offers a major upgrade at a position of need, and brings all of the intangibles that the team craves. He’s a perfect fit, but getting him to leave sunny California could prove impossible.<\/p>\n