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5 moves the Oilers can make to get back to the playoffs

By Derek Grochowski

EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 7: Players of the Edmonton Oilers salute the crowed following the game against the Vancouver Canucks on April 7, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 7: Players of the Edmonton Oilers salute the crowed following the game against the Vancouver Canucks on April 7, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ST. PAUL, MN – APRIL 02: Edmonton Oilers Center Leon Draisaitl (29) prepares for a face-off during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers on April 2, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild Defeated the Oilers 3-0.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – APRIL 02: Edmonton Oilers Center Leon Draisaitl (29) prepares for a face-off during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers on April 2, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild Defeated the Oilers 3-0.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Establish Leon Draisaitl’s position

The young German forward had a breakout season in 2016-17, recording 77 points in 82 games. The problem is he was drafted as a center but is mostly successful playing wing with Connor McDavid. Draisaitl was paid like a center, signing an eight-year contract that will pay him $8,500,000 for the next seven seasons. The Edmonton Oilers need to find a way to make him productive centering his own line, not riding shotgun with McDavid. If the Oilers cannot get this figured out, they could be in long-term trouble. He is making a lot of money to just play wing, and it leaves a big hole at center for the team.

If the Oilers feel confident in Draisaitl at center, then their offseason gets easier; it is one less need for the organization. If they feel like he needs to stay on McDavid’s wing, then they will need to address that position somehow. There is not a lot of cap space for the team this offseason and they do not have a lot of pieces left to trade that would make them better overall. They could look to move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but that creates another void on offense. Oscar Klefbom has been the topic of trade rumors, but again, that would solve one problem just to create another. Figuring out Draisaitl is the key for the Oilers moving forward. He is a good player, but he needs to establish his position, whether it is at center or on a wing.

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