Without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on ice this season at 5-on-5, the Edmonton Oilers have been outscored 27 to 55. That translates to an atrocious 33 percent goal share, the lowest Edmonton has posted without them in the entirety of the McDavid and Draisaitl era.

The inadequate performance from their depth forwards has been an issue that has persisted all season long. Back in mid-November, this goal share was at an even worse 23 percent. It has technically improved ever since, but it remains not nearly good enough.

One of the biggest question marks in Edmonton’s bottom-six is their third-line centre. No single forward has truly claimed the role this season, as Kris Knoblauch is often shuffling the forward lines every one or two games (or even periods!). If the Oilers are to carry an effective bottom-six into the playoffs, they would heavily benefit from a much clearer answer as to who their third-line centre should be.

Let’s take a closer look at what options the team has.

Option 1: Jack Roslovic

Edmonton has most recently deployed Jack Roslovic at 3C, with rookies Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard on his wings.

Thus far, the line has produced decent results. They have an exact 50 percent goal share, and possess a 52 percent scoring chance share. Stylistically, the trio also makes sense on paper; two unproven but young, skilled, and creative wingers supported by a veteran forward who excels at transporting the puck through the neutral zone. There’s real talent on the line, and playing against third-line competition could also benefit Savoie and Howard development-wise.

That being said, there’s a compelling case to be made........

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