McDavid Comments on Oilers’ Controversial Line-Juggling Strategy

Connor McDavid was asked about the Edmonton Oilers’ constant line juggling amidst solid of wins. The team is playing well, but questionable in their approach is how much the team, specifically head coach Kris Knoblauch, has switched up the lines and a winning roster. McDavid suggests there’s a method to the madness.

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While there’s a chance that the constant line juggling could frustrate top-six forwards like Zach Hyman or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid isn’t worried about it. Likely neither are they. The moves are meant to give the Oilers a more balanced offensive attack.

Ahead of the team’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, McDavid explained:

“We’re deep up front and we’ve got lots of good players up there. It’s taken a little bit to maybe find the right combo of players, a little bit of juggling. But you’re always going to get that when you’ve got so many players that can play in the top six, or top nine, as you said.”

McDavid perhaps understands the arguments against, but added, “I don’t think that’s a bad thing, it keeps it interesting. It’s always fun to play with different guys. That third line played really well in Boston (where they were coming off a 4-0 shutout Tuesday).”

McDavid Likes That This Team Can Deploy Multiple Looks

There is one thing that McDavid is right about. This is an Oilers team that is building chemistry as they try out different looks and show that, regardless of the combinations, the team can win. Lines can find their own chemistry quickly and that’s dangerous for opponents.

Knoblauch is proving that even if things are good, he’s not afraid to switch things up on his opponents. And, when things aren’t good, changes can make a world of difference. If anyone on the roster can play with anyone else, how does a defense handle a team that gives a total team effort? That’s a real challenge defenses have to deal with.

“I think we’re a hard team to play against just in a sense that everyone’s responsible. We’re not giving away many freebees, make you earn what you get,” McDavid said. When asked about Connor Brown, McDavid applauded him as the perfect example of a forward who can play anywhere.

The Oilers’ captain bragged:

“We’ve got lots of guys that can play in lots of different areas and play lots of different roles, and he would definitely be right at the top of that list. If you need him in your top six, he’s skilled enough and smart enough to do that. You need him to kill penalties, he’s an amazing penalty killer and doesn’t get enough credit for that. He’s just a great player.”

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