So, so dumb. You don’t give the guy 1st Line Center money to play wing with the best pure offensive player in the league. If the Oilers were smart (obviously they aren’t) they would be like the Pens, you have to put average players with McDavid and he helps make them great players. Same with Draisaitl. You don’t put both of them on the same line. Imagine a line eight Crosby and Malkin together... you can’t because the Pens aren’t stupid and split them up.

I do agree with you and I think their long term plan is to get Draisaitl on the 2 C but as of right now with RNH as a 2C it gives them the flexibility to put Draisaitl on the wing.

I feel the same way, but then I remind myself that tomorrow is only the first day of an 8-year contract. McLellan is famous for his "blender", so I'm sure Draisaitl will see plenty of 2C time before Christmas.

if we start with strome at centre and Draisaitl on the wing, were gonna have a tough year.

If you want to see the strongest spine (Center depth) in the league, check this out:

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/485646

Umm, you don't need to be a genius with lines. You can change them as often as you like, and you'll be pushed by external factors to change anything that was working. It doesn't matter where you start, just that you are adapting smoothly -- not changing them too often, not being too stubborn.

The bigger questions right now are the D amidst injuries, and what workload Talbot can sustain without physical breakdown
The upside is in the new faces at forward, which might allow for trading RNH/Puljujarvi/etc. in exchange for something to bolster the backend