Accountabilty Babcock-style; Edmonton coach demotes or scratches all struggling Oilers forwards

This in from Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now, news that Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock has demoted all his struggling forwards to one line, with Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph now teamed up with Owen Michaels at centre on the fourth line. Two other forwards who have yet to make much of a mark this year, Filip Hallander and Max Jones, are on the fifth line, likely to be scratched.

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The new third line is made up of Jason Dickinson, Trent Frederic and Colton Dach, who all have been playing solid two-way hockey.

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Meanwhile, d-man Connor Murphy was not on the ice, with Jake Walman slotting into his right side slot beside Ryan Shea. Coach Mike Babcock said Murphy would play tomorrow against Philadelphia.

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Devon Levi is again in the starter’s net.

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Podkolzin-McDavid-Draisaitl
Kapanen-RNH-Hyman
Dach-Dickinson-Frederic
Formenton-Michaels-Joseph
Jones-Hallander

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Ekholm-Bouchard
Shea-Walman
Mukhamadullin-Emberson
*Janmark

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Levi
Jarry

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My take

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1. These are all obvious moves, at least for anyone doing intensive video review of Oilers games. Babcock likes to remind the meida that he and his staff do this video review, while most reporters and commentators do not.

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This is also the accountability you like to see in an NHL team, a coach promoting wingers like Frederic and Dach who have played well this year, while sending a message to players who need to do a better job by demoting or scratching them. Both Frederic and Dach have spent time on the fourth line this year but now look to play a prominent role with Dickinson. I bet this trio does well.

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2. Michaels, Formenton and Joseph have all struggled to have a positive impact at even strength this season. They were weak as a line together, then split up, but Joseph and Formenton failed to get it done higher up the line-up on the wing with Jason Dickinson. Perhaps they can find a way in a more limited role on the fourth line to make a positive impact.

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Michaels has struggled the most, with a -5 goal differential at even strength, but when it comes to creating and defending Grade A shots, all three have low rates of success, well below the team averages at their respective positions.

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Both Formenton and Michaels are so far in minus territory for their individual Grade A shots plus-minus (at least according to Cult of Hockey video review), and that’s always been in seasons past a sure ticket out of NHL employment.

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That said, Michaels is just breaking into the league, while Formenton is adjusting to NHL play after being in the Swiss league. They both may well need more time to figure out how to bring their best games at the NHL level. There’s no doubt that Formenton has NHL speed, and that he’s got it in abundance. But he’s got to win more battles and make more plays in order to stick in the line-up.

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3. Babcock gave a vote of confidence to the Formenton, Michaels, Joseph line, even as they’ve been caved in so far on shots and goals against. The coach said, “I really liked when Formy and Jo and Michaels played together and I don’t think those two groups have been as good as they could be. So hopefully this will be a good thing. You know, I’m going to watch the game and find out.”

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At the Cult of Hockey

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