Edmonton Oilers: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

4. What even is their right wing depth?

Just looking at the Oilers’ Daily Faceoff page will give you an eyesore. What stands out, in particular, is their options, or lack thereof, on right wing. While things could change during the season, and even between now and opening day, this is who they currently have playing on that side: Ty Rattie, Jesse Puljujarvi, Drake Caggiula and Zack Kassian.

Rattie, who spent most of last season in the AHL, is playing on the first line and had all nine of his points come when he played with McDavid. Their highest scoring right winger is Caggiula, and he only had 13 goals. Puljujarvi showed some promising signs in his first full season last year, but for a team that’s supposed to contend, they need more than that.

Of course, things can change throughout the course of a season, and the most likely change will come in the form of Kailer Yamamoto. He was the Oilers’ first-round pick in 2017, and he had a prolific season in the WHL, putting up 64 points in 40 games. He also had a good showing for the United States at last year’s World Juniors.

The fact that he’s not listed in the team’s projected lineup means they’re in no rush to bring him in, but favorable circumstances could see him break into the top four, just like an Anton Slepyshev injury last season did the trick for Puljujarvi. The Oilers will be hoping all the promise he’s shown will translate to the NHL level, but early signs suggest that they will. Considering the dearth of options on the right side, they might have to count on him to make an instant impact this season.