Critical Oilers problem just hit Connor McDavid with disastrous consequences

Matt Savoie and the Edmonton Oilers are heading into the most pressure-packed season of the Connor McDavid era, and it's not close.

McDavid begins the first year of his two-year extension this season, and a real letdown could push Edmonton toward trading its captain next summer.

The core group is all still here. Leon Draisaitl posted 97 points, Evan Bouchard added 95, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins chipped in 56 alongside Zach Hyman's 52.

Edmonton also brought in Frederik Andersen on a one-year deal to shore up the crease behind that talented group up front.

Here's the real problem: scoring wingers thin out fast once you get past Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman on this roster.

That leaves it to Savoie and Howard, two 22-year-olds the organization needs to take real steps forward this season.

Savoie delivered as a rookie, posting 18 goals and 37 points in 82 games, enough to earn real top-six minutes down the stretch.

Why Edmonton's trade deadline plan depends on two 22-year-olds

Savoie now has a real shot at an everyday top-six job, the kind of role that could realistically push him past 50 points this season.

A sophomore slump is always possible, and Edmonton genuinely cannot afford one from a player this important to its scoring depth.

Howard's first pro season went differently. He managed just 5 points in 29 NHL games, though he reportedly tore up the AHL with 50 points in 47 games for Bakersfield.

Projecting Howard for 50-plus points at the NHL level would be reckless. Something closer to Savoie's rookie output would already be a real win.

General manager Stan Bowman reportedly still has around $4.73 million in cap space sitting unused after this offseason.

If Savoie and Howard struggle, that money likely becomes a scoring winger at the deadline. If they produce, Bowman can chase defensive help instead.

Either way, how these two young wingers perform over the next few months may end up shaping Edmonton's entire trade deadline approach.

Also read on Markerzone.com:
Canucks' new No. 1 center is finally known after unexpected Vancouver update