The Oilers’ star will be joined on the second line by two new teammates this season.
Leon Draisaitl is used to seeing new faces in Edmonton.
Just about every winger that’s come through Edmonton over the past few years has spent some time on Draisaitl’s wing. But this is the first year that the Oilers went out and acquired two new players specifically to play next to Draisaitl.
Draisaitl had high praise for right winger Viktor Arvidsson after practice on Monday.
“He’s looked great, obviously a really good player,” Draisaitl said of Arvidsson. “I’m really excited to create more chemistry with him, get to know him a little better on and off the ice.”
While Draisaitl has found instant chemistry with Arvidsson, his other new linemate Jeff Skinner has had a rockier start to his Oilers tenure, being shunted down to the third line in Monday’s practice. In his place was Mattias Janmark, who spent around 60 minutes next to Draisaitl last season.
Skinner is expected to return to his spot on Draisaitl’s left wing for the season opener on Wednesday against Winnipeg. Whether it’s Skinner, Janmark, Vasily Podkolzin, or anyone else on his left wing, Draisaitl’s not worried.
“You know, I think I can make any player better,” Draisaitl said when asked about getting to know his new linemates. “(It) doesn’t really matter what type of player that is, that’s my goal, that’s what I strive for every day.”
The numbers back it up. Draisaitl played at least 30 minutes with ten different lines last season, garnering an expected goals percentage of over 50% with all but three. Next to Skinner, one of the league’s best five-on-five producers, and Arvidsson, a fast and creative two-way scorer, Draisaitl figures to centre one of the league’s best second lines yet again this season.
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