{"id":754675,"date":"2016-02-02T06:52:56","date_gmt":"2016-02-02T13:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theoilersrig.com\/?p=12161"},"modified":"2016-02-02T06:52:56","modified_gmt":"2016-02-02T13:52:56","slug":"what-to-watch-for-oilers-post-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/what-to-watch-for-oilers-post-break\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Watch For – Oilers Post-Break"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Edmonton Oilers will return to the ice tonight as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Reality will set in quick when we all realize that this game is between two teams tied for 30th, yes last, place in the NHL. Toilet bowl? By definition, yes, but there are some things to watch here and moving forward.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n Return To Health:<\/strong><\/p>\n Connor McDavid will return tonight and instantly give the Oilers a massive boost. While Taylor Hall is a flat out star, I don’t think it’s crazy to suggest that McDavid is the best, and most talented, player on this roster. Adding him back in right now will make Edmonton’s forward group, and by extension team, a better group.<\/p>\n McDavid’s impact is massive, that can’t be stressed enough. He’ll instantly give Edmonton a second line that can score and he should be able to help a struggling power play unit.<\/p>\n That said, he isn’t alone. The Oilers will also get Oscar Klefbom and Brandon Davidson back this month. Klefbom is arguably the team’s best defender currently, in fact an argument can be made that he and Andrej Sekera are the only legit top four options on this roster. Getting him back will improve the defense in a big way.<\/p>\n Same with Davidson, who has emerged as a real NHL defender this season. He’s a steady player and he should solidify the team’s third pairing. I also wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him jump into the top four for a stretch either.<\/p>\n Lastly, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be back in March. When that happens, we’ll finally get to see the Oilers at full strength up front. That’s something we have yet to see this season.<\/p>\n I’d expect more wins too as this team gets healthier.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Movement On The Trade Front:<\/strong><\/p>\n As players return to the lineup, players will need to leave. The Oilers recalled Zack Kassian and Griffin Reinhart yesterday, bringing their roster to capacity. That means in order to activate McDavid later today, the Oilers will need to ship someone out. The obvious choice is to send Rob Klinkhammer to Bakersfield as he’s currently waiver exempt.<\/p>\n After that, however, things get a little tricky. When Klefbom and Davidson return, the Oilers will need to make room on the blue line. Sending Reinhart back down is possible, but Peter Chiarelli has said he’d like to see him play in the NHL. That would mean a trade could be at hand. Eric Gryba is a prime candidate as he’s a pending UFA who has value, while the writing seems to be on the wall for Justin Schultz.<\/p>\n Teddy Purcell is also a pending UFA and all signs point to him heading out the door too.<\/p>\n My bet? Chiarelli finds takers for Purcell and Schultz, while he signs Gryba to an extension.<\/p>\n