On the first day, Edmonton decided to put Connor McDavid on a line with Ryan Strome. This was perhaps the biggest storyline so far of camp, and here’s why this pairing makes a lot of sense heading into the year.
Edmonton acquired the 23-year-old in an offseason trade, which saw Jordan Eberle going back in return to the New York Islanders. Though Strome is a centre, he hasn’t had much success or consistency down the middle and needs to find his rhythm with the Oilers. Plus, with Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Mark Letestu filling out the roles of centre, it just shows that Strome would be better utilized on the right side.