Lowetide: Changing of the guard for tankers on the right wing is underway (2023)

For most of the past four seasons, theEdmonton-SmellSupplementary parts used on the right wing. The center was home to elite talent, while the left wing was reserved for big free agent signings.Milan Lucic,zach hymannmiEvander Kane.

The right wing had rookie and veteran contracts that didn't cost the moon.

Before the close of this year and through next summer, the Oilers will undergo a major overhaul at the position.

The struggles of the starters and the young players have combined to create a pressure point that will need to be resolved in the coming days.

Here's a look at a possible future, but first a quick look back.

the complementary wings

Oilers general manager Ken Holland spent heavily after arriving in the spring of 2019, but the potential pipeline has producedJesse Puljujarvimikailer yamamoto, so the right was dissolved internally in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. Here are the total minutes per wing, with each of the team's centers of excellence.

All numbers five against five via Natural Stat Trick

All three men were productive in a supporting role in the following ways:

• Jesse Puljujarvi scored 29-19 with the goalConnor McDavidmiLeon Draisaitl; 44-28 with McDavid; 13-9 with Draisaitl. 86-56 (60.5% involvement in the goal).
• Kailer Yamamoto scored 13-5 with McDavid and Draisaitl; 22-19 with McDavid; 73-47 with Draisaitl. Overall: 108-71 (60.3 percent on target).
• zack casianoscored 30-26 goals with McDavid and Draisaitl; 22-18 with McDavid; 8-3 with Draisaitl. Overall: 60-47 (56 percent on target).

Kassian was traded toArizona-Kojotenin the 2022 draft, while Puljujarvi and Yamamoto signed new deals in the summer.

At the start of the 2022-23 season, Edmonton's right wing dollar cap was limited to Zach Hyman, who played primarily left wing during the 2021-22 season.

Both the young and complementary players should have been good bets given their own established track records, but something went wrong for both men this season.

Jesse Puljujarvi

When Puljujarvi returned from Finland in time for the 2020/21 season, he had two solid seasons as an assist goalscorer and possession player. It is an unusual but valuable combination. A player who can produce similar performances three seasons in a row should be considered an established veteran. The third year has been difficult for Puljujarvi, but the possession metrics hold up.

All numbers five against five via Natural Stat Trick

Puljujarvi's point performance isn't the best in any of those three seasons, having been so off his pace in 2022-23 that he lost his skill line job. Luck was not his friend, which was reflected in the difference between the partial goals and the expected. Five-on-five ice shooting percentage is less than six percent. It will go back to Puljujarvi, but it must not be Edmonton.

The Oilers were looking for other options when the big fin fell on the depth chart, more on that in a bit.

kailer yamamoto

For Yamamoto, the injury threatens his role as a top-six winger in Edmonton. Here are their numbers as of 2019-20.

All numbers five against five via Natural Stat Trick

Yamamoto isn't an impact scorer, but he can deliver enough to stay on the front line if he's healthy.

He played on the hottest line in hockey (with Draisaitl andRyan Nugent-Hopkins) 2019-20 and then established himself as a player who rotated pucks and assisted possession.

Inspired by Edmonton's first-round pick in 2017, staying healthy has always been Yamamoto's concern. He played in just over 60 percent of Edmonton's games that season.

This should be a management concern and it is reasonable to expect the organization to insure itself against long-term problems.

Depth map this year

Hyman played much of the first half on the right flank with McDavid, and standout left wingers included Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Kane. Yamamoto's long absence, coupled with Puljujarvi's difficulties, provided other opportunities.

All numbers five against five via Natural Stat Trick

Hyman with McDavid was a remarkable story in 50 games. Signed on the left wing, he spent most of his first year in Edmonton on the port side. After Kane arrived last season, Hyman spent more time on the other wing, and this year Hyman-McDavid is 63 percent (38-22) from five for five.

It's hard to imagine coach Jay Woodcroft retiring from the tandem anytime soon.

Draisaitl has had a hard time with several right-backs this season.

If you play with Hyman (and without McDavid), the goal ratio in 174 minutes is 7:11 (39 percent).

He is 2-6 (25 percent) in 53 minutes with Puljujarvi and 1-1 in 42 minutes withderek ryan. This could explain why Draisaitl-Ryan has been used so often, with Ryan filling in for Puljujarvi (the obvious next pick with an injured Yamamoto) in recent games.

Draisaitl with Yamamoto is 8-4 (67 percent) in 124 five-on-five minutes. Expect the duo to play together when Yamamoto returns to the lineup.

klim the advantages, bought fromSt. Louis-Blueson Oct. 9 in trade for defenseman Dmitri Samorukov, he has had success with Nugent-Hopkins since he was released from the Bakersfield Condors. He seized the opportunity and got good results despite not scoring or scoring in the last five games.

minor leagues

There are several high-profile candidates in the AHL, but none are clearly ready for it.NHLAt the moment.

Heading into the offseason, Raphael Lavoie and others could prove to be strong contenders. Lavoie's recent performances show he's ready for an NHL audition, which is impressive considering he struggled in the third year of his entry-level contract before Christmas. He will track his progress for the remainder of the AHL season.

Xavier Bourgault has a draft pedigree (2021 first-round pick), but all four names could be in contention for a roster spot in Edmonton next fall.

Junior

Matvey Petrov del Batallón North Bay (OHL)is leadingthe best youth league in the world by points and is expected to deliver for the second consecutive season. He was an elite scorer a year ago, and his exceptional passing this season (more than one assist per game) makes him a strong candidate to impress as an AHL rookie with the Condors in 2023-24.

free agency

The cap determines how much the Netherlands can spend in free agency, but there is no shortage of applicants.

patrick kaneAgainBlackhawks de ChicagomiWladimir Tarasenkoof st. Louis Blues are two right-backs who could be tempted by the prospect of playing McDavid or Draisaitl next season.

For David PastrIt's a bridge too far as his contract will be far more than the Oilers could fulfill. Still, it's fun to imagine a nightmare scenario for the Pacific Division goalies. A stacked Draisaitl-McDavid-Pastrnak line can break hockey.

the bottom line

The Oilers are Stanley Cup contenders, but their right-hand position is shaky.

Hyman is the right choice for the McDavid lane and Yamamoto is the best choice for Draisaitl, but staying sane is a problem. Kostin has been a godsend, but a recent slump suggests she may not be able to fulfill the role demanded by the team.

Puljujarvi appears to be just days away from listing and Ryan is a near-term option.

It all comes down to the deadline and then summer.

Edmonton's first two lines are manned by centers McDavid and Draisaitl, center forward Nugent-Hopkins and forwards Kane and Hyman.

Who is last in the second row?

Most likely, this player is not currently on the Oilers' roster. Change is in the air.

(Photo de Jesse Puljujarvi: Sergei Belski / USA Today)