The Edmonton Oilers have one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive duos in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs exposed a problem that could become increasingly difficult to ignore: Edmonton isn’t getting enough production from the rest of its lineup.
With veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko still available in free agency, the Oilers have an opportunity to address their secondary scoring without surrendering draft picks or prospects in a trade.
Maple Leafs Expose Edmonton’s Lack of Offensive Depth
Edmonton entered Saturday’s matchup riding a three-game winning streak, with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the NHL scoring race. However, Toronto demonstrated what happens when opponents limit the Oilers’ offensive opportunities. Draisaitl scored both Edmonton goals, while McDavid assisted on each. No other Oilers player recorded a point.
Through 11 games, McDavid had accumulated 33 points, including eight goals and 25 assists. Draisaitl’s two-goal performance extended his scoring streak to six games, during which he recorded nine goals.
The reliance on those two players is becoming increasingly concerning. Following the defeat, head coach Mike Babcock acknowledged the need for additional contributions, “We need more, for sure.” The Oilers cannot reasonably expect McDavid and Draisaitl to carry their offence every night, particularly against playoff opponents capable of matching their top line.
Analytics Highlight Edmonton’s Bottom-Six Struggles
Edmonton’s early five-on-five numbers illustrate the considerable gap between its top line and supporting forwards. Through nine games in the available line-combination sample, the McDavid-Draisaitl-Vasily Podkolzin trio controlled approximately 59% of expected goals, outscoring opponents 14-6.
Meanwhile, the Alex Formenton-Owen Michaels-Mathieu Joseph combination generated just a 36% expected-goals share, with 2.1 expected goals for and 3.8 against. That represents a significant difference in territorial play and offensive chance generation.
The Oilers’ depth forwards aren’t simply struggling to finish opportunities. Some combinations are struggling to create enough quality chances in the first place. Those numbers reinforce why Edmonton needs another legitimate scoring threat outside its established stars.
Tarasenko Offers an Affordable Offensive Solution
Tarasenko, 34, remains unsigned despite producing 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games with the Minnesota Wild last season. That represents a 25-goal, 51-point pace over 82 games. The two-time Stanley Cup champion also brings 132 games of playoff experience, making him an intriguing option for a team looking to compete immediately.
His contract status presents Edmonton with an opportunity. Unlike acquiring a winger through a trade, signing Tarasenko would not require sacrificing valuable draft capital or prospects. However, his previous $4.75 million cap hit means Edmonton would need to negotiate a significantly cheaper contract and create sufficient cap space.
Tarasenko would not solve every issue within Edmonton’s bottom six. His defensive limitations and declining foot speed warrant consideration. Nevertheless, his finishing ability could provide another offensive threat on the third line or alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Oilers Should Explore Their Options Before Problems Escalate
Edmonton’s 8-2-1 record suggests there is no immediate reason to panic. However, its offensive dependence on McDavid and Draisaitl could become a significant vulnerability as the season progresses. Tarasenko would not be a guaranteed solution, but his recent production suggests he still has something to offer.
For an Oilers team attempting to maximize its championship window, exploring a short-term contract with a proven scorer could be worthwhile before committing valuable assets to a larger trade.
The question is whether Edmonton can afford to wait for its depth scoring to improve internally or whether an available veteran like Tarasenko represents an opportunity too appealing to overlook.
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