The Edmonton Oilers’ depth forwards haven’t produced much offence this season.

Some have suggested it is due to a lack of opportunity or role. Is that true? I wasn’t sure, so I decided to compare the Oilers’ depth forwards time on ice and production to other teams in the Western Conference.

Let’s see how they match up.

I compared the Oilers to the other eight Western Conference teams with at least 60 points, and I included only forwards who had played 19 games. Let’s start in the Central Division.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Avalanche: Oilers:
1st in the West with 83 points. 6th in the West with 64 points
1st in GF/GP at 3.84. 4th in GF/GP at 3.41
1st in 5×5 goals with 157. 14th in 5×5 goals with 119

has five forwards playing 18 minutes a night and Edmonton has four.

Colorado has 10 forwards averaging 12 min while Edmonton has 11.

The Oilers’ top six forwards in TOI have scored 125 goals, with 41 on the power play and 84 at EV/PK. Colorado’s top six have scored 129 goals with 23 on the power play and 106 EV/SH. Their top six has been much more productive than Edmonton’s.

Colorado’s remaining forwards have outscored Edmonton’s 43-28 at EV/PK and both teams have two PP goals. Colorado’s depth players have scored more goals, while averaging fewer minutes.

has produced very well in his 19 games, while rookie Matt Savoie has been solid. Curtis Lazar scoring three goals in 34 games while playing on 8:53 counters the argument you need to play more to produce more.

The Avalanche forwards have produced more 5×5 and EV than the Oilers’ top six and bottom six.

DALLAS STARS

Stars: Oilers:
3rd in the West with 77 points. 6th in the West with 64 points
10th in GF/GP at 3.32. 4th in GF/GP at 3.41
T-15th in 5×5 goals with 118. 14th in 5×5 goals with 119

has three forwards playing 18 min and Edmonton has four.

Dallas has 11 averaging 12 minutes/game and Edmonton has 11.

The Stars’ top six in TOI have produced 113 goals with 44 on the PP compared to Edmonton’s 125 goals with 41 on the PP. Edmonton’s top six have 84 goals EV/SH to the Stars’69.

Dallas’ remaining forwards have outscored Edmonton’s 46-28 at EV/PK and 3-2 on the PP.
Jamie Benn has nine goals in 35 games, averaging 12:32/game, which is seven more than Adam Henrique, who has played 13:50/game. Justin Hryckowian is outscoring Andrew Mangiapane while playing slightly fewer minutes. Oscar Bäck has four goals to Mattias Janmark’s one and they’ve played almost identical minutes.

The Stars’ bottom six is producing more with similar or less TOI from their depth forwards.

MINNESOTA WILD

Wild: Oilers:
2nd in the West with 78 points. 6th in the West with 64 points
11th in GF/GP at 3.31. 4th in GF/GP at 3.41
T-15th in 5×5 goals with 118. 14th in 5×5 goals with 119

and Edmonton have four forwards playing 18 minutes.

The Wild have 10 forwards playing 12 minutes, and Edmonton has 11.

The Wild’s top six have 115 goals with 38 on the PP compared to........

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