Plenty of little things to discuss so let's get to it.
Yesterday the Oilers held the annual Billy Moores Cup, a game comprised of the young rookies and prospects in the Oilers organization. Yamamoto, Bouchard, McLeod and Tyler Benson were among the players there.
The 3 day camp is a fun affair for the players and gives them a chance to get to know one another and grow more familiar with the organization. There isn't too much to glean for those looking for in depth player analysis but here are a couple thoughts.
Kailer Yamamoto is probably good enough to make this Oilers roster. Yamamoto skated circles around his peers and his line was the most dangerous all game. When he has the puck he is always in motion looking for a quick pass or shot, he reminds me of Ales Hemsky in this regard. When he doesn't have the puck he is aggressive in the fore-check trying to get it.
Ryan McLeod looks as advertised. A quick centre with strong vision on the ice. Showed good chemistry with Yamamoto as the two connected on a nice goal. He should post 30+ goals in the OHL next season.
Bouchard displayed some of the skills that made the organization ecstatic he fell to them. I knew he had a powerful shot but I was impressed with how quickly he fires it. On a play, Yamamoto fired a nifty pass back to Bouchard who wired it past Starett. There was almost no wind up but Bouchard beat Starett clean.
In other news we are two days from Free Agency. Unless something drastically changes the Oilers won't be too active. I expect one winger/centre to be signed July 1st and maybe a few players ala Ty Rattie; older prospects who could be callups.
Ryan Rishaug tweeted out the Oilers may have interest in Jason Chimera... I hope this is not true. Chris Kelly came to the Oilers on a tryout and at least he managed to post 5 goals the year before. Chimera has 3 goals last season between two teams. He is 39. No.
Riley Nash is my hopeful signing for Edmonton. He made 900,000 last season and is a right handed centre. He filled in well when Bergeron was injured on that top Bruins line. He is a player who could centre the Oilers fourth line or be a winger somewhere in the Oilers top 9.
Alternatively Grabner might be looked at due to his PK abilities. Perhaps Duclair or Reider is an option. None of these players are going to "fix" the team but the Oilers need cheap depth options.
Early this morning Joe Haggerty of NBCSports tweeted this:
Per a source, the Bruins have expressed interest in a trade for young Tampa Bay RFA D-man Slater Koekkoek. I don't expect those two rivals to actually make a deal, but the Edmonton Oilers are a strong contender if/when he's dealt
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) June 29, 2018
Koekkoek is a 24 year old left shot defender who is an RFA. He put up 4-4-8 in 35 games with the Lightning last season. Not sure what to make of this. Lightning fans I've talked to feel Slater has been misused by the team and they don't want to lose him. Koekkoek doesn't really solve any of Edmonton's issues as he would be another third pairing option on the left side. If the price is right he would be an interesting name to add to the pool.