It was speculated James Neal might slot back into the Edmonton Oilers lineup sometime during this current road trip. And, with the second game of a back-to-back for the Oilers on Tuesday, the organization did confirm that to be the case. Neal will suit up as the Oilers take on the Dallas Stars.
A player who is known to be a power play specialist and goal-scorer when engaged in the team’s overall plan, questions surround where to slot Neal in a lineup that seems to be clicking on multiple cylinders. It might be a decision overlooked by many who are enamoured with the recent play of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, but an important decision nonetheless.
There’s no possible way the Oilers and coach Dave Tippett touch the Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto line. Arguably the most effective line in hockey, it would be a massive mistake to disrupt the chemistry that exists between the three. Tippett has also found some chemistry with Connor McDavid and newly acquired forward Tyler Ennis. The other winger has rotated from game to game with Josh Archibald getting the most recent look. A goal scored by Archibald on Monday hints that the top line won’t be touched either.
That leaves three potential options:
Neal In For Alex Chiasson
Chiasson has been Edmonton’s go-to extra skater on the power play. This is a role where Neal excels. It potentially makes the most sense to swap one for the other, especially when you factor in Chiasson hasn’t provided the Oilers with much at five-on-five, nor does he kill penalties or provide much grit.
Chiasson coming out disrupts the Oilers lineup the least, therefore, it might make the most sense.
Neal In, Jujhar Khaira Out
Another argument can be made that Jujhar Khaira should sit, mainly because he’s not adding much offensively and has been, at times, considered an inconsistent letdown for the team considering expectations. Edmonton has hoped he’d chip in offensively but it hasn’t yet happened. In fact, Khaira was a player that was talked about a bit at the NHL Trade Deadline, even though he ultimately wasn’t moved.
The only issue here is that Khaira kills penalties and adds team toughness when he isn’t scoring. On the third or fourth line, that attribute can be quite effective.
Gaetan Haas Out?
What about Gaetan Haas? A player with speed to burn, pulling him when Edmonton clearly wants speed on every line is a questionable decision. Haas may not be scoring but Neal is certainly not the most fleet-of-foot player, especially if his recent injury stands to slow him down. It also stands to reason Neal doesn’t give Edmonton much on that fourth line and if there’s one thing that became evident from Neal’s time in Calgary, if he’s not given responsibility on offense, he doesn’t often produce.
How To Keep Neal Engaged
Some will argue Neal scoring his next goal isn’t actually great for the Oilers because a 20-goal season for Neal changes the draft pick compensation Edmonton has to give Calgary as part of the Milan Lucic Trade. That’s not a good enough reason to avoid using Neal where he most makes sense.
The Oilers need to give Neal first-unit (at the very least second-unit) power play time and then spot Neal in when opportunities exist to have him contribute. The Oilers are finally facing a situation at forward where they have a good problem, in that they’re almost too deep. That said, slotting Neal in where he doesn’t fit cancels out Edmonton’s depth up front.
Expect coach Tippett to find a way to keep Neal involved and that means possibly rotating forwards over the next few games.
