Also, the category was forwards. Not top 6. Forwards. So let's compare:
Hall - RBH - Eberle
Pouliot - McDavid - Yakupov
Korpikoski - Draisaitl - Purcell
Klinkhammer - Letestu - Hendricks
Gazdig, Lander
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - Colborne
Raymond - Stajan - Jones
Byron - Granlund - Jooris
Bollig - Shore
As for the top line, the simple fact of the matter is that the Flames' #1 line outscored HallsyNugeEbs - and they are better defensively
The Oilers 2nd line has tones of potential, no question. But for now, Yakupov is a disaster and McSavior is 18.
As for the Flames 2nd line, here's where things get difficult for the YouTube crowd: defense actually matters. And the Flames actually have a line that can shut down the opposition's top line
3rd lines both revolve around a 19 year old but any sane hockey fan would take ours over theirs
4th line is no contest (take your pick for personnel)
And then there is one more factor: depth. Injuries are a part of the game. And the Oilers have absolutely no depth at all. One injury to Hall, Nuge or - heaven forbid - McDavid, and Oiler fans will be setting their sites on the draft. Again.
Conversely, the Flames have too many NHL forwards, and showed last year that they can absorb injuries and keep winning.
Bottom line: the Flames forward group is easily better than the Oilers, when you look top to bottom and at all roles. And that is why the OP correctly rated them higher.
|