Season Preview: 3 players to watch on the Oilers

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.

The arrival of Connor McDavid trumped all other moves made by the Edmonton Oilers over the course of a decade-long building process.

Were it not for an injury that forced him out of the lineup for almost half of 2015-16, McDavid would almost certainly have been the NHL's Rookie of the Year, while perhaps putting the Oilers in position to contend for a playoff spot.

While McDavid is without question the most important player on the roster, others will have to step up if Edmonton is truly going to climb the standings this season.

Here are three Oilers to watch.

Adam Larsson

All eyes will be on defenseman Adam Larsson this season after general manager Peter Chiarelli deemed the Swede worth dealing Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for in a blockbuster summer trade.

The addition of Larsson came at a steep price, but the Oilers feel their forward depth, which was bolstered by the addition Milan Lucic in the offseason, can absorb the loss of one of the game's top left wingers in exchange for a solid defenseman capable of munching minutes.

Drafted fourth overall in 2011, Larsson was brought along slowly by the Devils, with 2015-16 serving as his first full NHL season after several stints down in the minors. The Oilers don't expect him to be an offensive dynamo - and rightfully so, as his career high for goals in a season sits at three - but the expectation is that Larsson will serve as a much needed shutdown presence in the defensive zone.

He's not the sexiest defenseman in the NHL, but if effective, Larsson could indeed help turn things around.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Hard as it may be to believe, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is entering his sixth NHL season.

The 23-year-old's role is somewhat in flux, having been passed on the depth chart by McDavid, and likely Leon Draisaitl as well. As a result, Nugent-Hopkins won't be deployed against the opposition's top defensive players, opening the door for increased production and the kind of secondary scoring needed on teams with playoff aspirations.

Nugent-Hopkins has seen his fair share of injuries since entering the NHL, but if he stays healthy, he could very well eclipse his career highs in goals (24) and points (56).

A true breakout by Nugent-Hopkins alongside McDavid's continued rise to superstardom would be a boon for the Oilers' chances of success.

Cam Talbot

Cam Talbot posted solid numbers in his first season with the Oilers, recording a .917 save percentage despite a losing record (21-27-5). His shot-stopping success rate speaks much more to his true value, and the efforts made by management to bolster the blue line should help improve his win-loss ratio.

Still, defense remains Edmonton's primary area of weakness, and Talbot will need to play at a high level in order to give the Oilers a fighting chance.

Anders Nilsson has been replaced by Jonas Gustavsson as Talbot's backup, meaning the starter may have to be relied upon more often as Edmonton's last line of defense.