The Edmonton Oilers have had a successful 2024 NHL free agency thus far. Jeff Skinner will supplement already formidable scoring. In addition, Adam Henrique provides a steady two-way responsibility with a touch of offence. Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown bring defensive acumen and physical presence. Moreover, Corey Perry’s playoff success will filter all the way down the team. And, all things falling the right way, providing he can avoid injury, Viktor Arvidsson can pretty much do all of the above.
New Edmonton Oiler Viktor Arvidsson Player Evaluation
Starting With the Strengths and First up His Speed and Agility
One of Arvidsson’s most notable strengths is his exceptional speed and agility. The puck is usually heading the right way when he is on the ice. His quick acceleration and ability to maneuver in tight spaces make him a constant threat in the offensive zone. This speed allows him to create breakaway opportunities and evade defenders, often leading to high-quality scoring chances.
Offensive Instincts
Arvidsson possesses strong offensive instincts. He has a knack for finding the soft spots in the defence and getting into prime scoring areas. His ability to read the play and anticipate the movements of both his teammates and opponents is exemplary. We can expect to see the combo of Leon Draisaitl and Arvidsson showing up often in the game box scores.
Shot Accuracy and Release
Arvidsson fires away at will and has plenty of accuracy. His quick release and impressive accuracy make him dangerous from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. His wrist shot, in particular, is a significant weapon, often catching goaltenders off guard. He simply loves to score. As his Los Angeles Kings head coach, Todd McLellan, said about him
“The one thing he’s not afraid to do is shoot the puck, he gets it and he shoots it, it’s just a given.”
Work Ethic, Tenacity, and Versatility
Arvidsson is known for his relentless work ethic and tenacity on the ice. He plays with a high level of intensity and doesn’t shy away from physical play, despite his smaller stature. This relentless style of play makes him a persistent forechecker and a player who can turn over pucks and create opportunities from seemingly lost causes. Throughout his career, Arvidsson has further demonstrated versatility by being effective in various roles and situations. Whether playing on the top line or contributing on the power play and penalty kill, he adapts well to different responsibilities.
“He does play a little differently,” McLellan said about him “yet he fits the recipe of his line (Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore).”
His flexibility makes him a valuable asset, capable of filling multiple roles as needed. “Of course I love to score goals, but I also feel like I have a lot more in my repertoire than just goalscoring. I can play in any situation, I take pride in playing in all situations, 4-on-5, 6-on-5, whatever it is, I take pride in it and I’ll do my best in every situation. I think, just because I scored 30 goals, I don’t think that’s just how you should look at me. You should look at me as an all-situations player, who can contribute in any way.”
Onto His Weaknesses Beginning With His Size and Physicality
Continuing Viktor Arvidsson’s player evaluation analyzing how his hard-nosed style can lead to injuries. While his speed and tenacity compensate for his size (5’10”, 185 lbs) to some extent, he can be outmuscled by larger defenders, and may struggle in board battles or in front of the net. This limitation sometimes hinders his ability to maintain puck possession and win physical confrontations. Arvidsson’s stature and aggressive style has often resulted in injury throughout his career. In addition to missing games, injuries can disrupt a player’s rhythm and chemistry with linemates. Concerns about his durability are valid.
Defensive Play
Arvidsson’s play away from the puck is not his strongest trait. While not a liability defensively, his game is primarily focused on offence. He can occasionally be caught out of position in the defensive zone, leading to scoring chances against.
Consistency
Consistency has been an issue for Arvidsson at times. While he can go through stretches where he is highly productive and a dominant offensive force, there are also periods where his scoring dries up. Finding a way to maintain a more consistent level of play would help him maximize his potential and provide more reliable contributions throughout the season.
Playmaking
Although Arvidsson is a proficient goal scorer, his playmaking abilities are not as strong. He tends to be more of a shooter than a passer, which can make his game somewhat predictable for opposing defenders. Enhancing his vision and passing skills would make him a more dynamic offensive player, capable of setting up his teammates as effectively as he finishes his own chances. Still, lining up with elite passers like Draisaitl or Connor McDavid, he can play to his shooting strength.
| SEASON | TEAM | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIMs |
| 2016-17 | Nashville Predators | 80 | 31 | 30 | 61 | 28 |
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | 78 | 29 | 32 | 61 | 36 |
| 2018-19 | Nashville Predators | 58 | 34 | 14 | 48 | 26 |
| 2019-20 | Nashville Predators | 57 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 26 |
| 2020-21 | Nashville Predators | 50 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 21 |
| 2021-22 | Los Angeles Kings | 66 | 20 | 29 | 49 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | Los Angeles Kings | 77 | 26 | 33 | 59 | 24 |
| 2023-24 | Los Angeles Kings | 18 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 14 |
| NHL Totals | 546 | 179 | 183 | 362 | 232 |
Conclusion
Viktor Arvidsson’s strengths make him a formidable player in the NHL. His speed, offensive instincts, shot accuracy, work ethic, and versatility have all contributed to his success. However, his size, injury history, defensive play, consistency, and playmaking abilities are areas that can be seen as weaknesses. The Oilers have added a player that provides the team with a little bit of everything that contributes to overall success.
Main photo: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
