The Oilers need more from their depth with a division title on the line.
The Oilers need more from their depth with a division title on the line.
The NHL is back.
Though games don't start up again until Saturday, the Edmonton Oilers and other teams across the NHL are back at practice while they wait for the end of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday.
With the final third of the Oilers' season unofficially starting with practice on Tuesday, today we will look at three players they'll need more from as they battle for playoff position down the stretch.
RW Viktor Arvidsson
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doxr1DUFsyQ[/embed]
The Oilers' big offseason addition has not gone to plan. Signed to be Leon Draisaitl's wingman and bring some much-needed secondary scoring to the lineup, Arvidsson has instead struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in Edmonton.
The biggest blow to Arvidsson's season came when he missed 15 games in November and December after initially being classified as day-to-day. But he's still been a disappointment on the ice. With just 18 points in 40 games, he's scoring at his lowest rate since his rookie season in 2015-16.
After collecting one assist in three games on Sweden's fourth line at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Arvidsson needs to find his offensive game again if he wants to stay in the Oilers' top six. His advanced numbers are still good (fifth on the team with a 59.2 xG%), so hopefully he's not too far off.
C Adam Henrique
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bceSWyTjJvs[/embed]
Every year, it seems like the Oilers are in the market for a third-line center. Last season's band-aid fix was Henrique, who acquitted himself so well that the Oilers signed him to a two-year extension over the summer. But two-thirds of the way through the season, it looks like the Oilers are shopping once again.
Much like Arvidsson, Henrique's 16 points in 54 games mark the lowest scoring rate of his career. More concerning, though, is that the 35-year-old seems to have lost a step. His 44.2% xG share shows that he's been underwater for most of the season, and is probably best-suited for the wing at this point in his career.
The Oilers had better hope Henrique can bounce back. Not only was he supposed to be a pivotal member of the bottom six, but he's also signed for one more season after this one. Hopefully, a shift to the left wing or the fourth line can ease the burden on Henrique.
Trending Oilers Articles
Oilers Top Prospect Is A Home Run Swing
McDavid Dominates As Canada Avoids Disaster
Evander Kane Reacts To Rare 9 Seconds Of Mayhem
Edmonton Oilers Trade Deadline Shopping List
RD John Klingberg
This one is less about the Oilers needing more -- Klingberg's only played in five games this season -- but about what they're asking him to do. It's been repeated ad nauseam that the Oilers need a second-pairing right-handed defenseman, and for now, Klingberg is that guy.
The early returns have been fine. Klingberg's shown good puck skills and instincts, along with the turnovers that can be expected from an offensive defenseman. His play away from the puck has been an issue, however, and it's an issue that goes back much farther than his time in Edmonton.
[gallery ids="9,10,11,12,13"]
With five games under his belt and just seven more before the March 7th trade deadline, Klingberg doesn't have much time to prove himself to the Oilers' brass, and they don't have much time to make a decision. One way or another, these next two weeks will be pivotal for both team and player.
The Oilers play the first of their final 27 games on Saturday, as they visit the Philadelphia Flyers.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.