Tonight’s game is the last time these Oiler rookies will get a chance to showcase themselves against non-professional talent. The Oilers youth squad takes on the combined NAIT/Macewan squad this evening, which is a break in tradition. Typically the club takes on the University of Alberta Golden Bears team, which is a perennial CIS powerhouse. This year (for undoubtedly financial reasons) the Oilers went in a different direction.
As per Bob Stauffer’s tweet, the NAIT/Macewan split squad has just 8 players who spent time in Major Junior. On paper, this game is a downgrade in talent for the rookies to play against. The majority of players in the young stars tournament have been current or former CHL players along with invitees from major University programs in the US. In addition, this club wouldn’t have the cohesion that a single team that has largely played together like the Golden Bears would have.
It really ought to be a lighter load for the Oilers. If it’s close (And it’s not like we’re talking about a midget team. I know this is still high level hockey and the Ooks were Champions last season) then you have to really give this NAIT/Mac team credit for the job they’ve done. These games have really opened up eyes on Chad Butcher, Kiril Maksimov, Osap Safin, as well as give the team and its fans a chance to finally see Paigin and the status of Bear, Jones, and Mantha. Of course, there have been lofty expectations on Kailer Yamamoto during this portion of camp as well.
For my money, Yamamoto has looked incredibly skilled, but just hasn’t been able to piece it all together in a way that makes him super-effective. The coaching staff has re-united the top line from the last game, which will give them a chance to keep developing chemistry. We also saw Yamo on the left point of the Power Play against the Canucks rookies. He looked very strong in the offensive zone in that situation…and a little scary defensively (as expected).
Yamamoto may benefit from the more structured and higher skilled group that comes in main camp. He plays a creative, high end game and there’s no question that Edmonton’s top 6 (which is his eventual future if he’s going to be an NHL player) has talent that should fit his style.
LINEUP
Gambardella Butcher Yamamoto Maksimov Bauer Safin Polei Koch Spyzula Pawlenchuk Glover Wolansky
Jones Bear Lagesson Mantha Paigin Samorukov
Wells Skinner
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) The Right Side. The combined NAIT/Mac team has a limited number of players who played CHL hockey and none of them are on the right side of the defense. In addition, there are a couple smaller players on that side of their blueline. It’s an area of weakness on paper that ought to exploited by wingers on the left side like Gambardella and Maksimov. We will be watching to see how this group that has had just a single practice together will handle the Oiler forwards who have stood out in this past week.
2) All 6 D. Edmonton’s lineup features the top 6 defense prospects in their system. They can move, they can shoot, they have size. This is a solid and well-rounded group that is largely ready to turn pro this season. Ethan Bear has been kept away from the scoresheet so far this week which is something the offensive defender will be looking to fix. Jones is one of the best skaters on the team. Mantha is both huge and a shooter. Lagesson is a physical defense-first player. Paigin has a veritable laser beam of a shot. Samorukov is the biggest unknown for me, but he’s obviously impressing someone. This defense will be a game-breaker for the Oilers.
3) Last Chances. On both sides of the ice, this game will be the last chance for a lot of players to move the dial and impress the coaches and scouts. The coaching staff here is the AHL staff. For guys like Jones and Bear, it’s a chance to earn trust early. For players like Butcher, it’s another chance to really show the Oilers that he’s worth giving an Entry Level Contract. There are plenty of guys without contracts, who don’t know where they will be playing next month. A standout on the other side might earn an invite next year and who knows from there. And for the vast majority of the NAIT/Mac team, this will be their only chance to play in Rogers Place. It should be a fun time tonight.
Puck drops tonight at 7PM Mountain Time on Oilers TV. Game On!
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