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Oilers reveal major line changes at practice with veteran forward scratched
The Edmonton Oilers are back on the ice for practice after yesterday's tough loss to the Flyers, and are making major changes to their forward lines.
Oilers fans are beginning to see some concerning signs emerging for Kris Knoblauch, who has failed to build any sort of effective bottom six this season. They haven't changed much lately, but today, 3 forward lines will be shaken up.
Edmonton Oilers reveal major line changes at practice
According to reporters at today's practice, the Oilers are expected to deploy the following lines in their next game against the Nashville Predators:
Only the top line of Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, and Hyman remain intact. In every other line, there's at least one change.
Kasperi Kapanen is now practicing on the second line, an indication that he will be activated from LTIR and in the lineup for the next game.
Isaac Howard has been elevated to the 3rd line alongside Adam Henrique and Jack Roslovic. This is a new solution to their 3rd line woes with two offensive players anchored by a two-way centre in Henrique. The vet has struggled this season, but this could be an interesting combo.
Mangiapane, Lazar, and Savoie are lining up on the 4th line. Trent Frederic and Quinn Hutson are listed as projected healthy scratches. Frederic absolutely deserves to be scratched as one of the worst players on the team this season, but it's disappointing to see Hutson benched so quickly again.
Perhaps something could be changing soon with Mattias Janmark's absence and trade rumours surrounding Andrew Mangiapane.
Trading Mangiapane would at least help another player get into the lineup, instead of playing him on the 4th line while he's asked for a «fresh start» elsewhere.
We'll see if there's more roster changes that impact the lineup between now and Tuesday's matchup against the Predators.