Report: McLellan makes strange lineup decision ahead of tilt against Dallas

This might be a controversial move.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: McLellan makes strange lineup decision ahead of tilt against Dallas
KeyStone Press

The Edmonton Oilers are taking on the Dallas Stars tonight and coach Todd McLellan has announced some changes to the lineup that might not sit well with fans.

Mark Letestu draws into the lineup, while young forward Kailer Yamamoto draws out. Leon Draisaitl draws back onto the top line next to Connor McDavid. The two are excellent together and will surely provide some offense to a team in dire need of it, but is replacing Yamamoto with Letestu a wise move here?

McLellan had this to say to The Edmonton Journal regarding his decision: “I trust him. I trust him. I trust him. There’s nothing more valuable. Whether you like Mark Letestu or not as a fan or a media person, trust goes a long, long way between a player in a coach. And I trust him. I believe that when he steps on the ice that he’s going to try and at least attempt to do things the right way within structure. He has the ability to check and play  and play fairly well defensively.”

Yamamoto has 3 assists to Letestu's 2 goals so far, and this playing with McDavid quite a bit. That being said, there's a clear division of offensive talent between the two players and for a team starving for goals, this move seems counterintuitive.

What do you think? Is this a headscratcher for you too?