Re: McDavid's long-term RW, Puljujarvi or Yamamoto? Or neither?
With all due respect, there's a difference between a fan and a homer. A homer is someone who is loyal to their team but cannot see the faults. Their team can do no wrong and they aren't willing to disparage their team in any way shape or form. Big Ev was the classic Senators homer on this site at one time. A fan is someone who has a favorite team, but can spot flaws and is not afraid to publicly call them out.
For the record, I consider myself an Oilers fan, not a homer. For quite some time I hated the Oilers management and the decisions that were made and had no issues stating them publicly. I just wanted to clarify that before I reply to the OP's question.
I do think the Oilers would love to have Puljujarvi find his way to that #1 RW spot with McDavid. As we have seen for years even with Crosby, it's not easy finding the right chemistry when it comes to wingers with stud centers like Crosby and McDavid. Right now, it seems that McDavid and Maroon have that spark and McLellan has left those two together. The right side hasn't been quite as kind to McDavid. Most thought that Eberle would be the guy but as we saw last year, that wasn't the case. Draisaitl has been the best fit so far, but I do think the Oilers want him to center his own line to seperate Draisaitl and McDavid and make it harder on opposing teams when it comes to matching up their best defensive lines against the Oilers best forward lines.
From what I have read, the Oilers plan on splitting the big ones up this afternoon and putting Caggiula up on the right side with McDavid and Maroon, letting Draisaitl center the 2nd line with Strome and Lucic. How long that lasts is anyones guess.
Long term, I do think the Oilers best option is someone already in the system but who knows what Chiarelli will do. I would like to think that when you draft someone 4th overall, you forsee them in that top line role. That doesn't' mean someone else isn't a better fit, but that's usually the plan on draft day when you have a pick at or around that spot.
Chemistry is a big thing and if Puljujarvi and McDavid don't find it, then the Oilers will try and find someone else who can give them that. That's not an easy thing to do and I am sure it will take time to find the right person. It might be Puljujarvi, it might be Yamamoto, it could be none of the above. I dont think an Oilers fan, or even an Oilers homer can give you more more than an opinion on who they'd like to see there and then hope for the best.
Personally I don't care who it is as long as they can find someone other that Draisaitl. I'd rather see him centering the 2nd line and the Oilers spreading the wealth when it comes to offensive options.
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