I don't think it will be as soft as everybody assumes. Yakupov has certainly been willing to throw hits in the past, Gagner isn't big, but he's not afraid to play physical, Hemsky isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas.
I don't think it's as much to do with throwing hits as it is working down low and the ability to absorb a hit while maintaining puck control. As much as Yak is willing to throw his body around, he isn't necessarily going to be able to keep the puck or take it away from a guy like Joe Thornton or Ryan Getzlaf below the goal line(s).
This is where someone like Gagner and Hemsky are also exposed. Sam is a gritty guy who is willing to battle, unfortunately he doesn't usually win those battles. Hemsky goes to those areas but also tries higher risk plays which many times ends in a turnover (or injury).
Off the rush, the 2nd line will be just as deadly as our 1st line and will make teams pay if allowed to skate. However, everyone knows you need to be able to cycle in order to maintain offensive pressure and that's the biggest question mark concerning the 2nd line.
In a perfect world, with the type of 1st line the Oilers have, you would want a bigger, tougher 2nd line who have the ability to grind it out down low providing a more dynamic and balanced attack for the Oilers as a whole.
blah blah blah blah blah. Gee, now I have another post.
