Line ups at practice are as such

Nuge-McDavid-Puju
Reider-Drai-Chiasson
Caggiula-Brodziak-Kassian
Lucic-Khaira-Rattie
Spooner and Zykov rotating in (expect Spooner to be in Khairas spot as he serves his suspension)

PP units

McDavid-Drai-Nuge-Chiasson-Nurse
Lucic-Spooner-Puji-Rattie-Jones
- RatedR80

I really like that top 6.👍

Disappointed Zykov isn’t getting more of a look though.

I really like that top 6.👍

Disappointed Zykov isn’t getting more of a look though.
- Wildschwein

I kind of feel for Drai tho and not because he needs McDavid but because he is stuck with Chiasson now.....but also a chance for Drai to stand out on his own line and give us some much needed balance.....also like Jones getting some PP minutes....sure hasn’t taken Hitch long to like the kid

Also Russell could play on the 27th

I really like that top 6.👍

Disappointed Zykov isn’t getting more of a look though.
- Wildschwein

Zykov doesn't seem to do anything that sticks out...

Zykov doesn't seem to do anything that sticks out...
- Reveen.

Lucic seems to be getting less ice time so maybe it gets to a point where he sits and Zykov takes his spot

Lucic seems to be getting less ice time so maybe it gets to a point where he sits and Zykov takes his spot
- RatedR80

I wish.... I almost hope the Oilers miss the playoffs because it would seal Chiarelli's fate.

I wish.... I almost hope the Oilers miss the playoffs because it would seal Chiarelli's fate.
- Reveen.

Now the question is if Chia does get fired do the Oilers finally get it right with the replacement?

Zykov doesn't seem to do anything that sticks out...
- Reveen.

He's a Maroon that's more effective on the PP but looks less effective at 5-on-5 (so far). If he had Chaisson's role, I think he'd perform similarly, though you can't justify removing Chiasson until he stops producing.

Line ups at practice are as such

Nuge-McDavid-Puju
Reider-Drai-Chiasson
Caggiula-Brodziak-Kassian
Lucic-Khaira-Rattie
Spooner and Zykov rotating in (expect Spooner to be in Khairas spot as he serves his suspension)

PP units

McDavid-Drai-Nuge-Chiasson-Nurse
Lucic-Spooner-Puji-Rattie-Jones
- RatedR80

Young prospects getting PP time

They really ought to make more changes, though. The PP units have been abhorrent lately. I know there were plans for some tactical revamping that Hitch mentioned, but I think the unit as a whole is falling short.

Nuge- Zykov- Draisaitl
Jones- McDavid

Rattie/Rieder- Puljujarvi- Khaira
Nurse- Spooner

Now the question is if Chia does get fired do the Oilers finally get it right with the replacement?
- RatedR80

Can it get worse ?

He's a Maroon that's more effective on the PP but looks less effective at 5-on-5 (so far). If he had Chaisson's role, I think he'd perform similarly, though you can't justify removing Chiasson until he stops producing.
- MaximumBone

Do you think he's that good ?

Young prospects getting PP time

They really ought to make more changes, though. The PP units have been abhorrent lately. I know there were plans for some tactical revamping that Hitch mentioned, but I think the unit as a whole is falling short.

Nuge- Zykov- Draisaitl
Jones- McDavid

Rattie/Rieder- Puljujarvi- Khaira
Nurse- Spooner
- MaximumBone

The PP has been garbage as of late I’m surprised they didn’t shake that up either....if we are taking Chiasson off the PP then I vote we drop him from the top 6 as well....slot Puju with Drai and maybe Rattie back up on the top line.....if Chiasson makes McDavids and Drais advanced numbers worse what chance does Drai have without McDavid?

Can it get worse ?
- Reveen.

If it does can we honestly expect to see 7 more years of Connor?

Zykov doesn't seem to do anything that sticks out...
- Reveen.

He’s played less than 28 minutes as an Oiler. That might have something to do with his lack of production.

If it does can we honestly expect to see 7 more years of Connor?
- RatedR80

que the McDavid to Toronto rumours...

He’s played less than 28 minutes as an Oiler. That might have something to do with his lack of production.
- Wildschwein

Wow that little.... (that's what she said)

Also Sekera was in practice wearing a regular practice jersey so I wonder if his return is right around the corner as well

He’s played less than 28 minutes as an Oiler. That might have something to do with his lack of production.
- Wildschwein

did rachel notley institute a production curtailment?

The PP has been garbage as of late I’m surprised they didn’t shake that up either....if we are taking Chiasson off the PP then I vote we drop him from the top 6 as well....slot Puju with Drai and maybe Rattie back up on the top line.....if Chiasson makes McDavids and Drais advanced numbers worse what chance does Drai have without McDavid?
- RatedR80

Rieder- Draisaitl- Chiasson was actually a pretty effective line back before Rieder got injured. I think they were holding their own (~50% GF, maybe above). Chiasson was one of the few players scoring away from McDavid so the solution the coaching staff came up with was to... put him with McDavid? Kinda odd to me, but (frank) it.

Having McDavid on a line changes the dynamic it takes on and, while it's usually positive to results, it can mess up certain player's rhythms as they don't get as many puck touches. I like Nuge and Jesse with Connor as Jesse has a positive impact on both their results individually (almost across the board) so trying then together makes a lot of sense. However, I would like to see the following:

Zykov- McDavid- Rieder
*Nyquist- Draisaitl- Chiasson
Khaira- RNH- Puljujarvi
Lucic- Brodziak- Kassian

* A conditional 2020 1st (cond. is Nyquist resigning, becomes a 2nd if not) and Caggiula for Nyquist (retain whatever is necessary to fit him in)

Also Sekera was in practice wearing a regular practice jersey so I wonder if his return is right around the corner as well
- RatedR80

Please don't rush him.

Rieder- Draisaitl- Chiasson was actually a pretty effective line back before Rieder got injured. I think they were holding their own (~50% GF, maybe above). Chiasson was one of the few players scoring away from McDavid so the solution the coaching staff came up with was to... put him with McDavid? Kinda odd to me, but (frank) it.

Having McDavid on a line changes the dynamic it takes on and, while it's usually positive to results, it can mess up certain player's rhythms as they don't get as many puck touches. I like Nuge and Jesse with Connor as Jesse has a positive impact on both their results individually (almost across the board) so trying then together makes a lot of sense. However, I would like to see the following:

Zykov- McDavid- Rieder
*Nyquist- Draisaitl- Chiasson
Khaira- RNH- Puljujarvi
Lucic- Brodziak- Kassian

* A conditional 2020 1st (cond. is Nyquist resigning, becomes a 2nd if not) and Caggiula for Nyquist (retain whatever is necessary to fit him in)
- MaximumBone

Nyquist would be a pretty good add and also I know they were a decent 2nd line to start out the season I guess I’m just a believer that Chiasson will come down to earth which does zero to help Drai but with your line up he would have Nyquist so it wouldn’t matter as much then.....if McDavid can make it work with those two I would actually believe this is a playoff team

Nyquist would be a pretty good add and also I know they were a decent 2nd line to start out the season I guess I’m just a believer that Chiasson will come down to earth which does zero to help Drai but with your line up he would have Nyquist so it wouldn’t matter as much then.....if McDavid can make it work with those two I would actually believe this is a playoff team
- RatedR80

Nyquist is right up my alley. Consistently creates high danger chances and his team consistently converts on a higher percentage of those chances when he's on the ice than when he's off. Statistically, he qualifies as exactly the type of opportunity converter that I think this team needs.

Nyquist is right up my alley. Consistently creates high danger chances and his team consistently converts on a higher percentage of those chances when he's on the ice than when he's off. Statistically, he qualifies as exactly the type of opportunity converter that I think this team needs.
- MaximumBone

If the Wings are selling then I don’t see why Chia doesn’t make a call....people are worried about the blueline but I’m currently more concerned about the lack of finishers....besides within a couple of weeks we will have Russell back and maybe Sekera (hopefully not rushing him as you said) which only leaves Klef out but if Nurse and Jones keeps trending upwards is our blueline really an issue at that point?

If the Wings are selling then I don’t see why Chia doesn’t make a call....people are worried about the blueline but I’m currently more concerned about the lack of finishers....besides within a couple of weeks we will have Russell back and maybe Sekera (hopefully not rushing him as you said) which only leaves Klef out but if Nurse and Jones keeps trending upwards is our blueline really an issue at that point?
- RatedR80

I really don't have much of an issue with our blueline. My concerns are centered more around cost relative to value (Russell V Gunnarsson; similar value but one costs so much more), but that's something better dealt with in the offseason. Maximizing the value per cap dollar will be something the next GM will have to be good at.

I really don't have much of an issue with our blueline. My concerns are centered more around cost relative to value (Russell V Gunnarsson; similar value but one costs so much more), but that's something better dealt with in the offseason. Maximizing the value per cap dollar will be something the next GM will have to be good at.
- MaximumBone

Gunnerson also signed his deal before Russell