OEL vs Yandle PP time
 

Caught a good chunk of the Phx-CBJ game last night, and noticed OEL saw tons of PP time with the first unit, including that two-minute 5-on-3....with Yandle mostly on the second unit.

His production wasn't too bad, either. 2-1-3, +3, etc.

I know it's early in the year, but wondering if anyone else caught this and can comment on whether this has been the usual through three games?

Needless to say, we've all said OEL's production will vary based on how much Yandle plays - and the type of minutes (read: PP time) Yandle gets - so curious if this will be a permanent thing.

I wouldn't worry too much about it (and I own both this year), they both looked amazing last night.

Yandle almost scored a goal similar to Malkin's goal of the year last season, he just rung it off the post.

imo oel has overtaken yandle for the top gun on pho.

agreed. I think he has as well. He is pllaying top pairing with Michalek and has been seeing more PP time than Yandle in each game so far.

Phoenix has lots of room for both to excel. They need the duo to lead at both ends of the ice. In a manner of speaking, the 'Yotes have two super stars, just not the typical front enders that most teams have...

It would be neat to see the duo 1st & 2nd in team scoring! Not sure if a team has ever had that!

That happened last year in the playoffs already. It's OEL's team now.

That may actually benefit Yandle too. I don't think he's #1 D-man, more of a great #2. With OEL there Yandle has less pressure and can focus on just playing to his strengths.

Last Sunday vs Chicago, Yandle had the LEAST time on ice (18:26) for Phoenix D-men.

it happened last year before the playoffs even started.

don't know why these two can't share top PP minutes, but it hasn't happened to this point and nothing points that it will go in that direction. i still think yandle gets moved this year.

it's lie pietrangelo and shatty in STL - the two bet offensive D on the team and they rarely ever play the PP together.

It will be tough to tell what will be the norm for this season and the future based on the past three games and prior seasons, but some generalities can be made.

I think we can count on OEL being the defenseman that will get the most minutes since he will be played in all different types of situations more often than not which we have seen recently. I think minutes wise they will get pretty similar offensive opportunities, but it is too soon to tell which one will get the best of those opportunities. As you noticed OEL did get the quality 5 on 3 PP time, but for the most part PHX has been switching the D-pairings and forward units up most of the time on the PP.

Another thing to consider is that OEL has been playing previously in the AHL this year, not sure if Yandle played anywhere at all. So Yandle could be still getting into game shape which would explain his low minutes at the end of a B2B on Sunday.

OH MAN! Thank you to everyone who encouranged me to make the Kulikov and 2nd rounder for OEL trade. FINALLY...I saw something GREAT out of the star in the making OEL last night. WOW! Worth every penny!

Not sure if that makes yandle expendable, or makes the two some incredibly great. Weber / Sutter 2.0? or Niedermayer / Pronger 2.0?