Oilers head coach has new forward strategy to deploy this season

Of course, Stan Bowman's intention of adding offensive-minded and skilled prospect Ike Howard to the roster was, in fact, to add scoring to the top-9, and together with Matt Savoie, it's now possible.

It is clear, however, that the bulk of the scoring last year was done by Draisaitl and McDavid, both individually and when paired. Together, the duo accounted for 63% of the team's Goal Percentage 5v5, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Last season, Kris Knoblauch tried several line combinations to create an effective 3rd line, but none scored beyond a GF/60 of 2. For perspective, Draisaitl's GF/60 was 2.63, and McDavid's 2.97.

In terms of Oilers' top-lines defending against opposition's top-lines, McDavid led his team with 6min per game, and Draisaitl right behind him. RNH was just over 3min, and Oilers' usual 3rd-line center Henrique just under 3min.

Fact remains, however, that the Oilers are more difficult to play against when McDavid and Draisaitl play on separate lines. To take advantage of this important fact, Knoblauch now has the ability to ice three solid forward lines with his current roster.

According to Allan Mitchell of The Athletic last year's 1st-line of McDavid-RNH-Hyman scored 43 5v5 goals. The new 1st-line and their projected goals-for consists of McDavid (23), Andrew mangiapane (15) and Zach Hyman (19), for a total of 57 5v5 goals.

The 2nd-line last season was mostly Draisaitl-Podkolzin-Arvidsson, who combined for 42 5v5 goals. The projected new 2nd-line is Draisaitl (27), Podkolzin (13) and Matt Savoie (13) for 53 even strength goals.

Finally, last year's 3rd-line comprised Henrique-Brown-Janmark and scored a total of 20 goals 5v5. The new line for 2025-26 would be RNH (12), Howard (9), and Frederic (14), for a projected goals-for total of 35 5v5 goals.

GM Stan Bowman seems to have inserted the right combination of youth, speed and skill into the lineup. It is now only a matter of Knoblauch finding the right chemistry in the top-9. If the projected lines can produce at their expected rates, then the Oilers should have no trouble scoring goals in 2025-26.