Edmonton Oilers: Role Players Need to Rise Up Now

Shawn Horcoff, the leading scorer of the Edmonton Oilers, had been suffering from an aggravated left shoulder since October of this season.

The center was able to play through the pain, but after taking an awkward fall at the NHL All-Star game, it became too much to bare.

Horcoff had an MRI done and returned for one game but sat out ever since. He has now undergone shoulder surgery that will put him out for the remainder of the season.

Edmonton's top defenseman, Sheldon Souray sprained his shoulder playing against Vancouver on October 13th. He managed to return to the lineup a few weeks later only to prove that it was too soon.

He was again placed on Injured Reserve January 24th and has now undergone surgery that will most likely put him out for the remainder of the regular season.

With two very key players for the Oilers out, the question now remains, who will step up their play enough to take the place of these two stars?

Edmonton needs no help on the back end as Mathieu Garon has proved himself to be a number-one goaltender. However, it has become obvious the offense and defense have suffered greatly from the loss of these players.

Now, the first line center job will need to be filled.

For now, coach Craig MacTavish has put Marty Reasoner on the line with Hemsky and Penner, however, he has been doing much shuffling.

To me, the decision is obvious. Sam Gagner is the blunt choice to center the first line.

Gagner has been raking in the minutes and points since the loss of Horcoff and has proven himself to be more than a third-line winger. He still has things to work on, but is more than able to fill the position.

Others like Dustin Penner, Fernando Pisani, Jarret Stoll, and Marty Reasoner need to be the ones to step up their games. They all have shown promise throughout the season, but they just need to bring consistency to the ice.

Now on the back end, there is some serious work to be done.

Joni Pitkanen was supposed to be a number-two defense for the Oilers, but so far he has shown to be about a number three or four.

There are already trade rumors glooming around the Finnish point man and if he really wants to stay, he needs to start bringing his "A" game to the ice.

Defensemen Matt Greene and Tom Gilbert have been producing every game, showing their grit and determination to be there.

The Oilers are already seven points back from a playoff spot, so hope is looking slim for them to pull through especially without Horcoff and Souray.

However, if Garon stands strong, Gagner, Pitkanen, Penner, Hemsky, Cogliano and others bring it all on the ice, I think we will see the Oilers competing for the Stanley Cup.