Here's one crucial area that Edmonton Oilers are the envy of the NHL

Edmonton Oilers have depth at centre. The team has as many as eight forwards with a history of playing pivot and a realistic chance of making the team. The biggest question surrounding Edmonton pivots these days is whether they are playing centre or another forward position. Edmonton has a lot of players capable of moving around the line-up. They have a degree of versatility I see as a major strength.

Connor McDavid has won four Art Ross titles in the past six seasons. He's twice as many as any other NHLer this century. His team plays him at centre. Faceoff success rate has improved steadily. He won 53.7% of his faceoffs in 2021-22.

Edmonton Oilers have a real asset in 2C Leon Draisaitl. He's a foil to McDavid and a workhorse on the faceoff dot. Draiisaiht has been in the top four NHL scorers in each of the last four seasons. He has twice scored 50 goals and 50 assists in a season. Last season he broke Gretzky's 38-year-old franchise record for powerplay goals in one season and 15 assists against Flames in playoff series.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a key player for the Edmonton Oilers. He plays with McDavid and Draisaitl on the top line. Nugenhjil plays on both penalty kill units. He is also a good player on faceoffs. His career statistics are 719 GP, 19:24 ATOI, 196-332-528, 22-38-60, and 44.2% win rate.

Ryan McLeod was a second-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2018. He played 81 games in his rookie season, splitting his time between centre and wing. McLeod is a good skater and a decent bottom-sixer.

Derek Ryan is listed fifth in the list. He is a right-handed centre. Derek Ryan finished last season as a near full-time right wing. Ryan's best shot is from the strong side. His faceoff ability is useful on the penalty kill.

Devin Shore joined the Edmonton Oilers at the start of the 2021 season. He has nearly 400 games of NHL experience and scores about a point every three games.

Edmonton signed 7C Greg McKegg on the first day of free agency. Mckegg has played in the NHL for seven different teams in nine seasons. He also played for all but one of those seasons in an NHL-affiliated league.

Brad Malone is a candidate to start the season with the big club. He has less NHL experience than Shore or McKegg. The 33-year-old has played more on the wing than centre in his career. Malone beat the odds by earning another NHL contract after two years with an AHL pact.

Dylan Holloway is a 9th choice centre for Edmonton Oilers. He played pivot for Wisconsin two seasons ago. Seven of the players listed ahead of him have 200+ games in the league, only McLeod has fewer.

Edmonton Oilers have a lot of depth at the centre position. They have McDavid, Draisaitl, McLeod, Ryan and RNH. Woodcroft will probably keep Ryan around. Dylan Holloway will try to break into the big-league roster. He will have to find his comfort level at wing before he can play there.