Stan Bowman may need to cut this forward to save the Oilers and their penalty kill
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Daniel Lucente
Jan 28, 2026 (10:03)
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Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Mattias Janmark has been a loyal soldier for the Edmonton Oilers, but the numbers suggest his time as a penalty kill staple might be running out.
The 33-year-old veteran has long been trusted to shut down opposing power plays, yet this season, that trust appears misplaced as his underlying metrics have fallen off a cliff.
While the Oilers sit comfortably atop the Pacific Division, they cannot afford to ignore a glaring weakness that could sink them in the postseason.
The contrast in performance on the penalty kill is becoming impossible to ignore.
According to a recent analysis by David Staples, the disparity between Janmark and his captain is staggering.
Connor McDavid has helped create 13 Grade-A shots while shorthanded and was only on the ice for 11 against.
Janmark, however, has been a liability in the same situation.
Last season, he held his own with 16 Grade-A shots for and 24 against, a respectable ratio for a defensive specialist.
This year has been a disaster, with just 2 Grade-A shots for and a worrying 15 against while on the job.
The numbers paint a clear picture of a player who is struggling to keep up with the pace.
It is rare to see a superstar like McDavid outperforming a defensive specialist at his own game, but that is the reality Edmonton faces.
McDavid is evolving into a complete 200-foot force, while Janmark seems to be losing a step.
Janmark is losing the battle against father time in Edmonton
With only 8 points in 37 games and a minus-5 rating, Janmark's offensive production does not justify his roster spot if he cannot defend elite power plays.
He is averaging over 12 minutes of ice time per night, but those minutes might be better served by a younger, hungrier option.
General Manager Stan Bowman needs to be ruthless if this team wants to hoist the Stanley Cup.
Sentimentality cannot play a role when optimizing a championship roster.
If Janmark cannot rediscover his form immediately, the Oilers must look for an internal solution or a trade deadline upgrade.
The team has the firepower to outscore mistakes in the regular season, but special teams define playoff series.
Relying on a struggling veteran simply because he has "been there before" is a trap the Oilers must avoid.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 28|151 ANSWERS Stan Bowman may need to cut this forward to save the Oilers and their penalty kill Do you think Mattias Janmark should be scratched from the lineup? | ||
| Yes | 88 | 58.3 % |
| No | 63 | 41.7 % |
| List of polls | ||