While Connor McDavid continues to dominate the top position, rookie sensation Matt Savoie is making waves with his rapid ascent in the latest Edmonton Oilers player power rankings. The twice-monthly evaluation, compiled by Gerry Moddejonge, assesses players based on recent performance, statistics, and overall value to the hockey club.
McDavid Maintains Scoring Dominance
Connor McDavid solidly holds the number one ranking, demonstrating why he remains the team's most valuable player. After what many considered a slower start to the season, the Oilers captain has flipped the switch with an impressive 18 points in just 10 games, recording six goals and twelve assists during that dominant stretch.
The scoring surge has propelled McDavid into second place overall in league scoring with 32 total points, featuring nine goals and a league-leading 23 assists. He trails only Nathan MacKinnon by a single point, though other top-five contenders have played three to four fewer games.
Despite his offensive explosion, McDavid's minus-6 rating compared to MacKinnon's plus-19 highlights the ongoing challenges facing the Oilers this season.
Draisaitl and Roslovic Continue Strong Performances
Leon Draisaitl maintains his position at number two in the rankings, proving he's equally essential to the Oilers' success. The German forward recently compiled eight points in four games with four goals and four assists, bouncing back strongly after being held pointless in consecutive games for the first time this season.
Draisaitl currently sits second in team scoring with 26 points, including 14 goals that tie him for the league lead. Together, McDavid and Draisaitl have accounted for exactly one-third of the Oilers' offensive production through 23 games.
Jack Roslovic continues his impressive run, climbing to third in the rankings. The late roster addition has recorded 14 points in his last 14 games, with seven goals and seven assists. Despite missing training camp, Roslovic quickly found chemistry alongside Draisaitl on the second line and has earned opportunities on the top line with McDavid, even with Zach Hyman's return to the lineup.
Savoie's Remarkable Rookie Rise
The biggest story in this edition of the power rankings belongs to Matt Savoie, who makes his debut appearance at number four. The rookie has broken through where other replacements failed, becoming the first new face to effectively complement McDavid on the top line.
Previous attempts with David Tomasek, Trent Frederic, and Andrew Mangiapane had yielded limited success alongside the Oilers captain. Savoie's emergence provides much-needed depth and flexibility to Edmonton's forward lines, potentially solving a persistent lineup challenge for the coaching staff.
The young forward's adaptation to NHL speed and physicality was evident during his October 30 appearance against the New York Rangers, where he braced for a hit from defenceman Braden Schneider at Rogers Place.
As the Oilers continue navigating their season schedule, these power rankings highlight both the consistent excellence of established stars and the promising development of new talent that could prove crucial to the team's long-term success.
