1. McDavid's star is rising
Connor McDavid helped the Oilers to their first playoff appearance in 10 seasons, won the NHL scoring race with 100 points (30 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, the Hart Trophy as League MVP, and the Ted Lindsay Award, the League's most outstanding player chosen by the NHL Players' Association.
After being named the youngest captain in NHL history on Oct. 5, 2016, McDavid demonstrated more confidence and an ability to combine fast thinking with fast feet and fast hands, putting a fear factor into opponents trying to defend him on many nights.
The 20-year-old signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension on July 5 that begins next season.
2. The right spot for Draisaitl
Leon Draisaitl, 21, also emerged as a force for the Oilers last season, finishing eighth in the League with 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games, then signed an eight-year, $68 million contract on Aug. 16.
The No. 3 pick of the 2014 NHL Draft often played as McDavid's right wing but also centered Edmonton's second line when it was advantageous.
"It will be the moment or the situation we're in, what we as a staff determine is best for our team at that time to win the game," McLellan said. "It could be it's early in a game and we're down and we're sleepy and we need a change. It could be later on. There are a lot of factors that go into those decisions, like how others are playing.
"We're comfortable with putting them together -- they produce a very big challenge for the other teams. We can move them back and forth, we can do it in games and we can do it for short periods, long periods."