NHL poll reveals surprising result for Connor McDavid
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
A recent poll from The Oil Rig that asked who the winger should be on the top line with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, shows that of the four forwards that finished with top scores, two in particular were favoured.
Who should join Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman on the Edmonton #Oilers top line for the upcoming season?
Isaac Howard 36.4%
Ryan Nugent-Hopkin 16.9%
Andrew Mangiapane 36.4%
Matthew Savoie 10.4%
Isaac Howard 36.4%
Ryan Nugent-Hopkin 16.9%
Andrew Mangiapane 36.4%
Matthew Savoie 10.4%
-The Oil Rig
Perhaps the only surprising result was RNH's low score of 16.9% of the total votes, given his success on the Oilers' top-line.
RNH's production last year alongside McDavid was considered solid, providing two-way value, though his scoring was sometimes impacted by the dominant puck-possession of his linemates.
In 2023-24, however, the line of Hyman-McDavid-RNH was the best in the league overall, and across four categories. The line was first in minutes (296.4); xGF/60 at 4.62; xGA/60 at 1.66; and xG% with 73.50%. The line dominated all NHL teams' top lines.
Andrew Mangiane and Ike Howard both received a score of 36.4%, and were considered the best fit to play with McDavid and Hyman.
Though Mangiapane's production was lower last season, his offensive ability and 1st-line experience with Calgary and the Capitals make him a favourite for the top-line. His numbers will likely receive a boost, and is a smart winger that can control play.
Ike Howard is coming off a Hobey Baker Award winning season as the NCAA's top player, and has the ability to keep pace with McDavid and Hyman due to his strong skating ability.
With the attention that McDavid receives when on the ice, it should create space and time for Howard to utilize his excellent shot, best among all Oilers' prospects.
However, having said all this, head coach Kris Knoblauch has been known to mix and match line combinations to find the right blend, and will likely do the same this coming season.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 31 | 334 ANSWERS NHL poll reveals surprising result for Connor McDavid Who should play on the tiop-line with Hyman and McDavid? | ||
| Andrew Mangiapane | 143 | 42.8 % |
| Ike Howard | 83 | 24.9 % |
| Ryan Nugent Hopkins | 74 | 22.2 % |
| Matt Savoie | 34 | 10.2 % |
| List of polls | ||