THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!

In one of his three NHL seasons, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been a power-play witch (credit Tyler Dellow for the phrase). In the other two, he’s been pretty damn good. Nuge’s 5×5/60 falls short of what we might call ‘top quality top 6F’ but with the man advantage he’s golden:

• 2011-12: 7.30 (led NHL regulars)
• 2012-13: 4.91 (3rd among regular Oiler forwards)
• 2013-14: 4.85 (led all regular Oiler forwards)

Source: BTN

Craig Ramsay skated miles preventing power play sorties as a player, I’m intrigued by what he’ll do with this group and the coming 5×4 and 5×3 opportunities. The Edmonton Oilers have some fine young talent, but they haven’t delivered as often as one would hope. Here’s the numbers for last year’s PP men:

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 4.85
2. Jordan Eberle 4.72
3. Taylor Hall 4.29
4. Phil Larsen 4.22*
5. Ales Hemsky 4.15*
6. David Perron 3.71
7. Mark Arcobello 2.65
8. Nail Yakupov 2.63
9. Ryan Smyth 2.32*
10. Justin Schultz 2.23
11. Sam Gagner 2.15*
12. Anton Belov 0.85*

Craig MacTavish has added three potentially significant pieces to the puzzle. Nikita Nikitin (0 PP points in CBJ one year ago), Teddy Purcell (3.34/60) and Benoit Pouliot (3.10). It should be mentioned that Nikitin posted a 3.20 5×4/60 in 2011-12 when he had significant power play time. Note: Hemsky’ number is an estimate, all others sourced via BTN. Asterisks are men who have left the team.

TIME ON ICE PP 2013-14

1. Justin Schultz 3:26
2. Taylor Hall 3:10
3. Jordan Eberle 3:02
4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2:59
5. David Perron 2:49
6. Sam Gagner 2:36*
7. Ryan Smyth 2:33*
8. Phil Larsen 2:25*
9. Ales Hemsky 2:21*
10. Nail Yakupov 2:10
11. Anton Belov 1:19*
12. Mark Arcobello 1:07

The Oilers lost five men from the group, including a center (Gagner), a block out the G winger (Smyth) one ridiculous winger (Hemsky), and one surprisingly effective (Larsen) and surprisingly ineffective (Belov) defenseman. That’s a lot of turnover, but it also means opportunity for overlooked men like Nail Yakupov

POSSIBLE POWER-PLAY COMBINATIONS

I didn’t find room for Pouliot, and wanted to find a way to put Yakupov on the 1PP. Ramsay’s vision of this group could be much different. I will say this: Martin Marincin or Andrew Ference are going to get some power-play time this season. I’d pick Jeff Petry but he’s needed for PK time and I wanted Purcell on the 2PP.

WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE ON THE NEW CENTER?

If the club is going to keep Draisaitl, and his best skill is passing, I think they will want him on the power play. If the club does decide to sign a free-agent center, they all have some ability 5×4:

1. Andrei Loktionov 5.05/60 on about 1 minute per game
2. Derek Roy 4.95/60 on 2:17 per game
3. Mike Ribeiro 3.11/60 on 3:17 per game

Roy would seem to be the most attractive choice in this regard, and in this area (as the numbers show) he’s a better player than Arco and would be a veteran fit to an area of need. If the Oilers plan on keeping Leon Draisaitl, acquiring a two-way presence would seem more likely. Acquiring Roy (or Ribeiro, who doesn’t get mentioned because of the because) would seem to make sense in regard to improving the power play.

Now. How do we shoehorn Pouliot onto this power play? He’s the “Ryan Smyth” in the group, so do you run him instead of Yakupov? Dammit! Having said that, it can’t be Perron. Maybe Pouliot plays center on the 2PP,  loses the draws, and….dammit! I’ve been watching the Oiler power play too long.

Welcome, Craig Ramsay. Gooooooood luck!