Oilers coach Knoblauch promotes unlikely candidate to first line

The Oilers dropped a heartbreaker 6-5 loss to the Bruins at home last night in overtime in one of the most entertaining games of the season. However, it was also a litmus test against one of the league's most successful teams, and the Oilers failed - so Knoblauch is responding with some significant line changes. Most notably, Warren Foegele has earned a promotion to the first line.

In Nugent-Hopkins' absence last night, Foegele earned himself a look with the top line and made the most of the opportunity with 2 goals. Perhaps if Foegele can continue this run of success paired with McDavid, and Nuge is able to slot in on the second line, the Oilers will reconsider trading for a top-six forward at the deadline. Gagner is also clearly filling in for Nuge on the second line who is still absent with illness, and Gagner will likely be scratched when he returns.

Knoblauch also continued to shake up the bottom-six forward group at practice today. Holloway and Perry have returned to the third line, and McLeod, Janmark, and Brown now make up the third line. That may even be considered the fourth line, which also makes it a significant demotion for McLeod.


After the loss to Boston, Knoblauch is clearly looking to roll with the success of Foegele while also searching to find the right combination in the bottom six. At this point, every game is crucial for Oilers GM Ken Holland to evaluate the team and make the right addition at the trade deadline.