Yesterday afternoon the Oilers trimmed their roster down quite a bit, sending a large contingent of their AHL bound pros down to the farm. Others were simply released from their amateur tryouts. Edmonton currently has 42 players remaining on their roster, which includes 24 forwards, 14 defenders, and 4 goalies. After this weekend we should see another reduction in the roster.

The Oilers have kept Caleb Jones up with the club, but sent down the following men to Bakersfield:

Ethan Bear
Ben Betker
Greg Chase
Braden Christoffer
Joseph Gambardella
Ziyat Paigin
Kyle Platzer
Shane Starrett

The following were released from their amateur tryouts (many already have professional contracts):

Chad Butcher
Josh Currie
Ryan Hamilton
Zach O’Brien
Evan Polei

At this point the hopefuls that remain are:

Callahan (unlikely)
Downing (unlikely)
Ferlin (unlikely)
Laleggia (call-up option)
Malone (unlikely)
Rattie (call-up option)
P. Russell (noticeable in camp)
Yamamoto (very noticeable in camp)

Fayne (out of favor with staff)
Jones (skating makes him stand out)
Lowe (family makes him stand out)
Mantha (call-up option)
Simpson (family makes him stand out)
Stanton (also present)

Ellis (outplayed Brossoit last year)
Pasquale (solid AHL resume)

There is definitely a clear distinction between who stands a real chance to make the team and who does not. However, with several games still to go, there are still opportunities for the players remaining to elevate their status.

Caleb Jones may have 0 chance to crack the opening night roster, but he can make himself the top option for injury call-up. Yamamoto may be fighting an uphill battle for making the squad this season, but he could inception himself into Chiarelli’s mind for next season and beyond if he keeps this up. Keegan Lowe could…visit family longer? I don’t know. This doesn’t work for everyone.

MAROON

Per Ryan Rishaug, the Oilers and Patrick Maroon have started talks on a possible extension. This is apparently extremely early in the process, but both sides would like to get something done. The big question is going to be about cap hit. The Oilers have huge deals kicking in next season and RFAs to pay ON TOP of re-signing Maroon.

The reality is that the team will have to be tight with money moving forward. The elevated cap hits for Lucic, Russell, and even Draisaitl are going to be barriers to re-signing players moving forward. There has to be players on value deals all over the lineup to make up for Chiarelli’s early spending as Oiler GM.

Maroon may find himself in competition with the cheaper (and significantly less effective) Drake Caggiula. This competition wont be about straight offense or chemistry, it will be tied to money as well. 45 points from Maroon at $4M might be too much if you can squeeze 35-40 from Caggiula for $2M.

We’ll see where things go this season.

LINEUP

Slepyshev was back skating today with the main group in camp. No McDavid tonight. Will update lines and pairings as more info becomes available.

Lucic Draisaitl Caggiula
Pakarinen Kelly Yamamoto
Laleggia Malone Rattie
Callahan Downing Russell

Klefbom Larsson
Auvitu Mantha
Lowe Fayne

Brossoit

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

1) Canuck B Squad. The Canucks are split between Canada and China, having played their best in Shanghai last night. The squad that played the Flames on Wednesday has names like Boeser, Virtanen, and Cassels, but it was light on established NHLers. That group still managed to beat the Flames, but they ought to have more trouble facing this Oilers team. The combined lineups in that particular game was very weak. Edmonton needs to take advantage of the weakened roster the Canucks are bringing.

2) Power Play. Edmonton’s Power Play is the focus of attention in camp, with the A squad split into two units. Unity 1 is McDavid-Lucic-Letestu-Klefbom-Draisaitl. Unit 2 is RNH-Maroon-Strome-Caggiula-Benning. The Oilers also have young offensive players in Puljujarvi and Yamamoto as well as established prior performers like Jokinen. The competition for time on the 2nd unit is real. These guys have to show it every night. We look to see how they do on the man-advantage tonight as this battle unfurls.

3) Drai Run. Edmonton is banking on Leon Draisaitl being a fulltime centre in the NHL moving forward. That’s the rationale behind paying him so much more than his other comparables. They call him a center. However, Draisaitl only played C for a portion of the last season and was his best as McDavid’s winger. It’s not that he can’t take draws, it’s that he has to drive a line all by himself. This game with Lucic and Caggiula on his wings will be a good test run, even against weak competition.

Puck drops tonight at 7PM Mountain Time on the Oilers website. Game On!

Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy

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