Our Edmonton Oilers player power rankings are back. Twice a month throughout the schedule, we will be ordering players based on their contributions and value to the club, taking into account recent feats, statistics, failures and some of the more intangibles. Here is our list this week:
1. Connor McDavid (Last week’s rank: 1)
He may be starting the season scoring goals at half the clip his career numbers suggest, but El Capitan continues to lead the team with 21 points in 15 games played.
Sure, just four of those have come from putting the puck in the net, up to this point. But his 17 assists lead the league and tie him for most points in the NHL with young San Jose Sharks stud Macklin Celebrini.
So, McDavid will hang onto the top spot on this list, thank you very much.
2. Leon Draisaitl (Last week’s rank: 2)
Second on the team in points, still second on this list.
Welcome to life in the role of right-hand man to a generational talent in the NHL.
His team-leading 10 goals are twice as many as the next guy, and that alone would be enough to secure his position in the team rankings. Oh, and he also leads the league with six power-play goals. But come on, we all know there is plenty more to the reigning NHL goal-scoring leader’s game than simply putting pucks in the net.
3. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Last week’s rank: 3)
Meet the next guy.
Nugent-Hopkins’ five goals in 15 games so far have him on a goal-in-three-games clip, which is almost a whole game less than his career numbers (.283).
Combine that with 11 assists, and his 16 points have him sitting third in points and tied for 23rd overall. (The fact he’s sitting on a big ol’ minus-7 egg at the same time indicates all is not well in Oilerland at the moment).
His point-per-game pace (1.07) is miles ahead of his career average (.784), but still doesn’t compare to the out-of-body experience that was his 104-point season in 2022-23. But it is nice to see him beginning to bounce back after a couple of off years.
4. Jack Roslovic (Last week’s rank: —)
He arrived late to the party, but there can be no overlooking the impact Roslovic has had on his new team.
Despite sitting out of training camp, the newcomer soon found his footing on a second line next to Draisaitl and is currently on a run of seven points in seven games (three goals, four assists). He’s even in on the first-unit power play.
He might have bargained his way out of Carolina, but early indications are this guy could be an absolute steal, with the Oilers getting him at just $1.5 million against the cap.
5. Stuart Skinner (Last week’s rank: 5)
When your team is top 10 in goals-for and bottom 10 in goals-against, first instinct in to point the finger of blame squarely at the crease.
With a .899 save percentage and 2.54 goals-against average, Skinner’s numbers on the way to a 4-3-3 record aren’t the greatest. But neither has the play been in front of him.
Too many two-goal leads have disappeared lately with plenty of blame to go around, but right now Skinner gives this team a chance to win every time they take to the ice. And that’s all you can ask of your goaltender.
6. Adam Henrique (Last week’s rank: 7)
A thousand games in and he’s still got it.
When you’re a centre on a team like the Oilers, there’s not much room for you to maneuver. (Just see the three players ahead of him on this list).
But Henrique is still finding ways to contribute. His faceoff percentage of 61.3 leads the team, and of the nine Oilers players averaging less than 14 minutes per game, his six points (two goals, four assists) are twice the production, at least.
7. Jake Walman (Last week’s rank: —)
Leads all Oilers defencemen with a plus-4, and has seven points (one goal, six assists) in nine games since making his season debut following injury.
Never mind just getting his hair done (one of his patented celebrations, go look it up), he’s getting the job done out there.
8. Vasily Podkolzin (Last week’s rank: —)
His 50 hits in 15 games have the tenacious forward in the top 10 in the league, while adding six points (two goals, four assists).
But it’s his willingness and ability to get in and do the dirty work that’s contributing to what’s turning into a solid second line.
9. Andrew Mangiapane (Last week’s rank: 4)
He has as many goals as McDavid, with four, to tie for fourth in team scoring.
But Mangiapane’s shot percentage is 30.8 per cent )on 13 shots), which is tops among the regulars. In comparison, McDavid sits at just 8.9 per cent on a team-leading 45 shots.
10. Evan Bouchard (Last week’s rank: 10)
No one has fewer points in more ice time than Bouchard … or Boo-chard, depending on how vocal the fan base is in the moment.
While the 10 points (two goals, eight assists) that have him fourth on the team can’t be overlooked, neither can his team-worst plus-minus rating of minus-8 — especially when he’s been the main one dragging the rest of his teammates down in that department.
The giveaways have been egregious. Especially considering how they seem to have come in waves early on. And you try to balance them with the good points, like that one overtime winner and, uh, … well.
OK, so there hasn’t been much good to balance yet. But it’s still enough to make the list. (Barely).
Runner-up:
Darnell Nurse (Last week’s rank: —) Seven points (three goals, four assists) in 15 games and leads the league with 41 blocked shots. Not too shabby.
The fallen:
Mattias Ekholm (Last week’s rank: 6)
Noah Philp (Last week’s rank: 8)
Brett Kulak (Last week’s rank: 9)
Disagree? Have your say over who belongs where by sending your submissions to:
E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
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