Edmonton Oilers team site editor Caleb Kerney discusses how Jack Campbell will be better this season, the potential role that Mattias Ekholm will have, and the heightened motivation driving Connor McDavid to win this year. Last week, the Edmonton Oilers held their captain's skate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-are-all-smiles-at-first-captains-skate]. Interestingly, we saw the entire club participate. Through it, we now have been given a good idea of what the Oilers' potential lineup could be for the start of the season. Related: Edmonton Oilers Free Agent Tracker [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/edmonton-oilers-free-agent-tracker] In this first article of a two-part mini-series, we will be focusing on the Oilers' projected forward lines based on their captain's skate. Let's dive in. FIRST LINE: KANE, MCDAVID, BROWN The first line saw Evander Kane [https://puckpedia.com/player/evander-kane], Connor McDavid [https://puckpedia.com/player/connor-mcdavid], and Connor Brown [https://puckpedia.com/player/connor-brown] linked together. On paper, they look like they should form quite a strong trio. Connor McDavid [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk5MDI5NDg0NTc2MzE5NDQ0/usatsi_18365352_168401874_lowres.jpg] Connor McDavid When it was announced that the Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] signed Brown, fans immediately expected that he would pair up with McDavid. It is understandable, as they formed excellent [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/newly-acquired-oiler-could-be-the-final-piece-needed-for-a-stanley-cup]chemistry during their Erie Otter days. With that, it is hard not to love Kane potentially finishing off the line. Not only is he an extremely skilled winger, but his grit will make this line hard to go up against for more reasons than one. SECOND LINE: NUGENT-HOPKINS, DRAISAITL, HYMAN The Oilers' potential second line consisted of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins [https://puckpedia.com/player/ryan-nugent-hopkins], Leon Draisaitl [https://puckpedia.com/player/leon-draisaitl], and Zach Hyman [https://puckpedia.com/player/zach-hyman]. Similar to the top line, this line also is one that is hard to dislike. Related: Oilers' Sniper Has the Best Chance to Beat McDavid for the Maurice Richard Trophy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-sniper-has-the-best-chance-to-beat-mcdavid-for-the-maurice-richard-trophy] The Oilers having [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-are-set-up-for-success-this-upcoming-season] Draisaitl as their 2C is quite the luxury and shows just how talented their roster is. With that, he should create some real magic by having Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman on his wings. RNH showed last season that he can be an elite offensive threat, while Hyman provides immense determination along with his skill. THIRD LINE: FOEGELE, MCLEOD, HOLLOWAY Although the Oilers' projected third line lacks the star power of the first two, it has the potential to be an excellent checking line. Warren Foegele [https://puckpedia.com/player/warren-foegele] is an underrated asset who provides decent secondary offensive production along with some grit. Meanwhile, Ryan McLeod [https://puckpedia.com/player/ryan-mcleod] and Dylan Holloway [https://puckpedia.com/player/dylan-holloway] are two young forwards who are set to improve in 2023-24. Ryan McLeod & Warren Foegele [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NzUxMDg4MDE3NDE3OTkx/usatsi_20669023_168401874_lowres.jpg] Ryan McLeod & Warren Foegele If Foegele and McLeod can play as well as last season at a minimum and Holloway takes a step forward in his development, this trio has the potential to be a very impactful third line. FOURTH LINE: JANMARK, RYAN, GAGNER/CAGGIULA The fourth line will be determined shortly before the start of the 2023-24 season. Sam Gagner [https://puckpedia.com/player/sam-gagner] and Brandon Sutter [https://puckpedia.com/player/brandon-sutter] are currently signed to PTOs [https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38278468/edmonton-oilers-add-veterans-gagner-sutter-camp] and fighting for spots on the fourth line. However, at the captain's skate, we saw Mattias Janmark [https://puckpedia.com/player/mattias-janmark], Derek Ryan [https://puckpedia.com/player/derek-ryan], Gagner, and Drake Caggiula [https://puckpedia.com/player/drake-caggiula] take reps on the line. Derek Ryan [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NjQyMTA1OTA2NjM2MTM5/usatsi_20424192_168401874_lowres.jpg] Derek Ryan Janmark and Ryan were effective in the Oilers' bottom six last season, providing strong two-way play. As for Gagner and Caggiula, they both are familiar faces who have shots of being fourth-liners on opening night. Yet, we should not rule out Sutter and Lane Pederson [https://puckpedia.com/player/lane-pederson] for spots, either. Related: Ex-Oiler Has Contract Terminated With New Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/ex-oiler-wont-play-in-the-nhl-this-year] Nevertheless, we saw some interesting line combos at the Oilers' captain's skate [https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-captains-skates-commence-down-at-rogers-place]. They naturally can be changed at any time, but if these are the lines they roll with on opening night, they certainly have the potential to work well. Related: Oilers' Key Defenders Need to Step Up This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/oilers-key-defenders-need-to-step-up-this-season] Related: Former Oilers Who Are Still Free Agents [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/former-oilers-who-are-still-free-agents] Related: Oilers' Skinner & Campbell Tandem Could Be One of NHL's Bests in 2023-24 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-skinner-campbell-tandem-could-be-one-of-nhls-bests-in-2023-24]
