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The Oilers Need More Contributors

2 9
yesterday
Hockey is the ultimate team game. Your star players should lead the charge, and when they do, it is easier for depth guys, but there have to be games where the depth guys contribute

In November, the Edmonton Oilers’ depth players have been nonexistent. Frankly, they’ve been awful.

In October, the Oilers’ depth forwards chipped in 10 goals in 12 games. Add in a goal from defenceman Ty Emberson, and that is 11 goals from your bottom six and your #6/7 defenceman. That is solid production. If your bottom six and #6/7 contribute close to 80 goals in a season, especially when your top stars include Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, your offence will be more than competitive.

But in November, the contributions have dried up. They’ve basically been ghosts through nine games.

Andrew Mangiapane: 1-1-2 and -9

Adam Henrique: 0-0-0 and -7

Trent Frederic: 0-0-0 and -6

Noah Philp: 0-0-0 and -4

Curtis Lazar: 0-0-0 and -3 (7GP)

Isaac Howard: 0-0-0 and -1 (6GP)

Mattias Janmark: 0-0-0 and -2 (5GP)

David Tomášek: 0-0-0 and -3 (3GP)

Mangiapane’s goal came when he played with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid on November 3rd in St. Louis. But since he’s moved down to the bottom six, he’s produced nothing offensively, like the rest of that group.

The reality is your bottom six won’t score a lot, but they need to contribute some, and this month, not only are they not scoring — they are also getting outscored. A terrible combination.

You have to find ways to contribute more than just goals and assists. Add energy. Be physical. Create momentum-changing shifts. They’ve done virtually none of that. The team needs more from them.

In November, Connor McDavid and Jack Roslovic have six goals, Leon Draisaitl has five, Vasily Podkolzin has two, Matt Savoie has one, while Evan........

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