Changes have to be made!

This will probably be my only post of the weekend. I will be watching the game tomorrow but at this point we don't have lines or anything. I will however be talking about said lines and what needs to be changed.

Forwards:

RNH - McDavid - Kassian

Kahun - Draisaitl - Yamamoto

Ennis - Turris - Puljujarvi

Neal - Shore - Archibald

Right now this is what the Oilers are rolling with. Some others have been interspersed, but this is the way it has been since game one. Obviously, things need to be switched around.Here is what I would go with:

Kahun - McDavid - Puljujarvi

Nuge - Draisaitl - Yamamoto

Ennis - Turris - Kassian

Neal - Shore - Archibald

Let us start with JP on the top line. Puljujarvi has been a bright spot on a lackluster third line. Kyle Turris has not really shown anything yet and whether it has been Tyler Ennis or Joakim Nygard, the line just hasn't had much jump. Jesse is among the top of the list in advanced stats and chances per 60. I think it is about time we see him with the best player in the world. We even saw it vs Toronto when a 2 on 1 emerged and McDavid gave it straight to Kassian. Does Kass A) Snipe top corner? or B) Hit the crossbar. on a wide open net? The answer is B) he rang a wide open shot off of the crossbar. Not saying Jesse would've finished that. I am just saying the he was drafted as a finisher and a shooter. It was refreshing to see JP on the top line and by golly he had some chances as well. Moving Kahun there is just to make room for the Nuge-Drai-Yam line to reunite. It was the best line before last years COVID stoppage. If someone can give me a logical reason why that line was broken up, I would love to hear it!! The bottom 6 can look like that. Hopefully Kassian can find his energy playing on a line he is supposed to be playing on. The 4th line we wont be seeing too much so that can stay the same. However Devin Shore has been a great addition to the PK and even has a shorthanded goal!

Defense:

Nurse - Bear

Russell - Barrie

Koekkoek - Larsson

Holy hell where do I begin with this.I am just hoping that Tippett has the guts to put Larsson in the press box for a while. Here is how I would move the D around:

Nurse-Bear

Russell-Bouchard

Koekkoek-Barrie

I am fine with Leaving Nurse and Bear together. Just needs a couple games to figure it out again. Remember no pre-season for anybody but by game 7 we should be back to normal. Russell is a good guy to play with Bouchard. Russell can stay out of the way and let Bouchard do what he does best. Move that puck. I don't know how many times I saw Larsson pass the puck and it was in somebody's feet or behind a guy or once I even saw a pass hit half way up the glass! Get him TF out of the lineup. The time is now to move Bouchard into this spot and let him play. He is doing nothing on the taxi squad. Koekkoek has been a pleasant surprise and really has pushed Jones out of the lineup for now. The only reason I don't want Jones in there is because I don't see a world where you play a 21 year old defensemen (Bouch) with a 23 year old defensemen (Jones)

Will this Fix Things Immediately?

Heck no! Nothing is really, I just think that the team will look back on this stretch of games and say "How did we not have Bouchard in the lineup before this." Or, "Wow, Jesse looks great with Connor!" Or, "It is crazy that Yamamoto has as many points as Draisaitl and will win the Art Ross!" Ok maybe not that but you get what I'm saying. We will see what happens with tomorrows game vs the Jets and beyond! I just think the future is now and Bouchard deserves to be in the lineup. As well as Jesse being with McDavid.

How would you change the lineup?