2 Oilers' Depth Forwards That Cannot Be In The Game 1 Playoff Lineup

2 days ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors  /  Read Time: 1 minute 20 seconds

The Edmonton Oilers made a number of depth moves in the offseason and not a lot of them have worked out. There is an evident need to upgrade before the trade deadline in another year where it is Cup or bust for the team. Through 59 games and now five losses in a row, there are two players that stand out as members of the team the Oilers can't start in their first game of the playoffs or should be moved ahead of that.As the depth needs a new look, both Connor Brown and Mattias Janmark should have played themselves out of a spot in the lineup by now. Janmark was more recently out of the lineup and Matt Savoie was in, but after a great showing by the rookie, Janmark is back in the lineup and it made things worse.Savoie is part of the future in Edmonton and sitting him after some strong games and great chemistry with Leon Draisaitl is a bad move. Janmark kills penalties, but so can a lot of other Oilers. He has just two goals and 16 points in 58 games this season. If it's not Janmark coming out for Savoie, then it needs to be Brown.Sure, Brown played well in the playoffs last season, but has one goal in his last 28 games and no hits in his last 14 games. What's even worse is both Brown and Janmark are lining up on the third line while Savoie and Jeff Skinner have more recently got the short end of the stick.It is a likelihood that Evander Kane is healthy before the playoffs, so this will force the Oilers to get him in the lineup. This is on top of any potential moves the Oilers make in the next week. Given this, Kane, Savoie, and Skinner should be in the starting lineup come playoffs, and whatever is done with Janmark and Brown is necessary. The Oilers need to win and this same old strategy hasn't helped them.Photo credit: © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images...

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