As the playoffs approach, the Edmonton Oilers have been grappling with injuries, including those of Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Max Jones, and Jason Dickinson. With Hyman set to return in the regular season finale tonight (April 16) against the Vancouver Canucks, and Draisaitl not far behind, roster decisions must be made. So, who comes out of the lineup when players return? Bubble forwards include Curtis Lazar, Kasperi Kapanen, Colton Dach, and Josh Samanski. Out of those players, Samanski should stay in the lineup, and he could play a crucial role during the playoffs.
Samanski Plays a Similar Style to Dickinson
There hasn’t been any clear update on Dickinson’s status after he got injured in the third period against the San Jose Sharks on April 8, after blocking a shot with his foot. It’s been a week since the injury, and we still have limited information on the severity, which is concerning. It’s unlikely he’ll be available for Game 1 of the playoffs, and if he misses significant time, Samanski needs to step up and fill that hole.
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Samanski is Dickinson’s replacement because they play similar styles. They are both defensively responsible centres that kill penalties, but they aren’t overly offensive. Samanski has played 23 NHL games and continues to earn the coaching staff’s trust.
He plays simple, mistake-free hockey and usually makes the smart play. The rookie has also shown glimpses of offensive flair and creativity. A few games ago, he made a nifty toe drag around the defender before getting a quality shot on net. If he can develop that aspect of his game, he’ll be the perfect bottom-six centre. He has been given an elevated role and has become an important penalty killer in recent games.
The German forward didn’t start his NHL career on the penalty kill, but he worked his way up and has thrived. He has played 9:52 shorthanded and hasn’t been on the ice for a goal against. He has impressed and should continue getting those minutes in Dickinson’s absence. The penalty kill has significantly improved since his inclusion. The Oilers are 77.1 percent on the penalty kill this season, good for 21st in the league. However, since the trade deadline, they are 11th at 81.3 percent. That improvement has been noticeable. If Samanski doesn’t contribute offensively, he can help in other ways.
The 24-year-old has earned more responsibility. He has recently improved the team’s defensive performance, and his contributions must continue in the postseason if the Oilers aspire to go on another deep run. He has the potential to become a true shutdown centre, and this playoff run will determine his readiness to advance to the next level.
Have the Oilers Found an Identity Line?
With the recent injuries, the Oilers have found a trio that has developed chemistry, and they should remain intact for the start of the postseason. Samanski, Dach, and Trent Frederic have looked solid as a third line, and they complement each other extremely well. Dach and Frederic provide physicality, energy, and a strong forecheck, while Samanski is a smart two-way player who can feed off that energy.
That line has spent 29:22 together at 5-on-5, and while their underlying numbers may not be impressive, they have still performed solidly. When they’re on the ice, the shots are tied at 11, the goals are tied at one, and they have a 14-12 advantage in scoring chances. They are basically breaking even, and that’s not a bad thing. Their physicality makes them tough to play against. They have established an identity, and if they can occasionally contribute offensively, that’s a bonus.
Far too often, head coach Kris Knoblauch shoehorns players into the bottom six when they don’t belong there. Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner struggled in Edmonton because they are top-six players who were forced to adapt to a bottom-six role, and the same could be said about Howard. It wasn’t surprising to see them struggle because they didn’t fit the mould.
They didn’t have a role on this team, but players like Samanski do. He knows what his job is and does it well. As we’ve learned, role players are extremely valuable and should be coveted. He’s a fantastic depth piece that has been a perfect fit in the bottom six. He will only get better, and this postseason is huge for his development. Hopefully, he can handle the added pressure of playoff hockey in this market.
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