Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
...If Draisaitle can anchor a second line and put up points with 2nd line wingers than this is a good deal. Otherwise at least a million dollar overpayment.
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The tragic thing for Oilers fans is that even if Draisaitl can prove capable of anchoring the second line—which is a reasonable expectation—he almost certainly cannot be a +70-point producing centre in such a situation. On a good second line one should be pleased with a 45–55-point performance from the #2 centre, but if Draisaitl manages that reasonable expectation he will always be monumentally overpaid.
If the Oilers decide to continue deploying him on McDavid's wing, then they must also find a solution for centring the second line which at this stage appears to be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. This is an adequate option, but one that still leaves the whole makeup of the team top-heavy and relatively easy to defend for 2/3 of a game.
The Oilers appear to be flummoxed either way.