Oilers Starting Line-up (Forwards)

Now is the perfect time to set the starting line-up for the 2008/2009 season – before training camp and a solid two months before the first game of the season. And in case you didn’t know, and shame on you if you don’t, the Oilers open their 30th anniversary season hosting the Colorado Avalanche on Oct 12 – and while I am at prophecising the Oilers will beat the Avs 3-2 in regulation.

Onto the opening line-up…

First Line

Penner – Horcoff – Hemsky

Two of the components to this line should be no surprise. Horcoff and Hemsky have been staples on the Oilers first line since the lock-out and there is no reason to see this change. Hemsky is still our most dynamic winger and Horcoff, coming off an all-star appearance and a huge contract extension, remains the best choice at center – even while some suggest Gagner could take over this spot.

The left wing, however, is up for competition with the off-season acquisition of Erik Cole, a bonafide top-six winger who is only a few seasons removed from being considered one of the elite power forwards in the league. But he is coming off another season of decling production from his breakout season in 2006.

With Dustin Penner being the other player in contention for this spot, who played a significant portion of last season as the top lines left-winger, it is his spot to lose. My guess is that Penner comes in to training camp in much better shape than he did last season where he came off a Stanely Cup-shortened off-season and wins the spot for opening night.

Likely Substitutes
One shouldn’t be surprised to see Penner and Cole rotate on the left side many times throughout the season. Less likely, but a possibility, is Nilsson trying his hand at left wing duties.

Second Line

Cole – Gagner – Nilsson

While the “kid line” was arguably the best line over the last 20 games of the season with the addition of Cole to the Oilers line-up and the likeliness of the line coming back to earth and losing some of that chemistry it will be Cole starting the season on the left wing. While Cole is coming off a season of declining production (51 pts in 08 vs. 61 pts in 07) he is a top six forward who is a proven scorer.

Cogliano is the most at risk of being demoted not because of his skill but his ability to play a third line role vs. Gagner or Nilsson. However, I do expect the “kid line” to be together for a part of training camp – but broken up for the first game. But unless you see them light it up – we will see Cole on this line.

Likely Substitutes
It is likely we will see wide variety of second line combinations due to the depth of top-six forwards we have on the team. Expect the “kid line” to be united many times throughout the season with Penner being tossed in as a Cole replacement.

Third Line

Moreau – Cogliano – Pisani

The Oilers third line has been one of the least consistent lines over the last few years due to the multitude of injuries sustained by players who’ve traditionally been staples on the line. With Moreau and Pisani both coming into the season healthy, two of the Oilers best third-liners (two-way energy guys) will be mainstays on this line this year – knock on wood. Centering the dynamic “third line” duo will be Cogliano, who with the addition of Cole, is the player best suited to head up the line with his speed and defensive abilities.

Likely Substitutes
Pending injury, it will be the center position of this line that is likely to see the most change. At times, we could see Brodziak or Pouliot being the pivot as Cogliano moves back and forth between the top-six and the third-line.

Fourth Line

Pouliot – Brodziak – Stortini

With the loss of Glencross to free agency there is an opening on the fourth line, which was a pillar of strength for the Oilers on its season ending run. Last season, Brodziak solidified himself as an NHL’er and will remain on this line for the season – potentially moving up to center the third. With strong showings last season it appears that Stortini and Pouliot will have the lead on on the remaining two positions but there is little guarentee and they could be starting the year in the pressbox.

Likely Substitutes
The fourth line will likely be a revolving door for the multitude of prospects (and Jason Strudwick) the Oilers will try and get into the line-up. Expect to see Gilbert Brule, Robbie Schremp, Ryan Poltuny, J.F. Jacques and Jason Strudwick at different points in the season in place of Pouliot and Stortini.

Second Guess

To only prove the difficulty of setting the lines so early just before I pressed upload for this post I had second thoughts on the starting line-up so I thought I would give my second version:

Cole – Horcoff – Hemsky
Cogliano – Gagner – Nilsson
Penner – Brodziak – Pisani
Moreau – Pouliot – Stortini

I bet that 15 minutes after this is up I will want to have a third guess… to follow I will look at the defensive pairings.

~ by Auger on August 5, 2008.