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Add it all up and that’s $13.75 million in cap hit — an average of $2.75 million per player — tied up in 5 guys who have produced a combined 5-6-11, -22 in 48 appearances in the season to date. All are well below the break-even point in flow of play metrics and in goal share. Nowhere near good enough.
That said, this post has a happier tone today than it would have had I written it yesterday as initially planned. Ennis, acquired last trade deadline from Ottawa, had by far his best game of the season in his old barn, darting and dangling his way into dangerous spots all night. He was rewarded with the game-winning goal — the first of the season scored by any Oiler not named McDavid or Draisaitl.
Another former Senator, Turris, also had a better showing. No goals at either end on his watch — itself a step in the right direction — with the Oilers controlling the shot clock to the tune of 6-1 during his 9 minutes at evens. Baby steps.
Yet a third erstwhile Sen, Chiasson, draws in tonight to replace the injured Kassian. Perhaps a whiff of the humid Ottawa air will get him going as well. Chiasson did have his best game of the season vs. the Sens in Edmonton last week, providing heavy screens on two Oilers’ powerplay goals, but like the other guys named above he needs to find more ways to contribute at both ends of the ice.
Neal had his two goals in that same game, but otherwise has been a step behind on too many nights. He was better on Monday with a 7-4 shot share and a dangerous powerplay chance from the edge of the crease that forced one of Matt Murray’s best saves.
