The final pre-season game takes place between the Kraken and the Oilers and the lines are just getting I don't care. Pre-season doesn't matter. I don't care about it in the slightest and I am looking forward to pretending to not have to care right away.
The Oilers have spent most of their pre-season working through a new defensive zone system and trying to build chemistry between some lines. We are pretty close to knowing exactly what the lineup for Game 1 is going to be, with some potential for deviation in the bottom six.
Tonight Adam Erne will play likely his last game in an Oilers jersey and likely released from his PTO tomorrow unless Holland signs him to a two way deal. Erne did some good things through training camp but not enough to be one of the top 12 forwards on this roster.
One player I am intrigued to see what they do with is Ben Gleason. The 25 year old left shot defender is signed for this season and next and has had a great training camp. Gleason showcased his ability to be a solid defender who also is very adept at carrying the puck, a skill not a many Oilers defenders typically utilize. Gleason has had a better camp by my eye than Vincent Desharnais but the coaching staff still likes the size and PK work that Desharnais brings.
One thing that may delay Gleason being sent down and possibly being lost to waivers is the status of Matias Ekholm. Ekholm resumed skating with the team today in practice but will not be playing in tonight's game and cast some doubts on whether he would be ready for Game 1 of the season. Ekholm clearly seemed frustrated that whatever ailment has been bothering him remains an issue.
Another player I want to talk about is another Mattias in Mattias Janmark. The 30 year old is a veteran player who can score 10 or so goals in a bottom six role but I remain unimpressed by his overall game. Yes he plays on the PK but the Oilers finished 20th in the league last season on the PK. Obviously there is more to the PK than one player but I don't see Janmark as a PK god of any sorts. I would like to see some new blood get a shot.
Speaking of new blood it is looking like Raphael Lavoie is going to make the opening night roster and I would love to see it be on a line with Holloway and McLeod.
Everything the Oilers do this season should be with ensuring they have the best possible lineup for when the playoffs start. I believe a key part of that is having a skilled third line that is going to be able to produce while the opposition are putting their best against McDavid and Draisaitl. Last season the Foegele-McLeod-Ryan line did an admirable job at suppression chances against and should have been utilized more by the coach.
Now however I think McLeod flanked by Holloway and Lavoie brings far more offense to the table. Holloway forechecks like a fiend and has the speed to match McLeod at both ends of the ice. Lavoie meanwhile is a pure shooter and has been averaging roughly 4 shots a game through the pre-season. McLeod in addition to his speed is the defensive conscious and can control play at both ends of the ice.
There is risk of course to a young line like this making rookie mistakes. All the more reason I say to playing them together early and often. Let them make mistakes in October and November and have them firing on all cylinders come the New Year. This team is more than deep and skilled enough to compensate for having some young players learning on the fly.
Providing Ekholm is healthy, this is the roster I would run on opening night.
Kane-McDavid-Brown RNH-Draisaitl-Hyman Holloway-McLeod-Lavoie Foegele-Pederson-Ryan
Nurse-Bouchard Ekholm-Broberg Kulak-Ceci
Skinner
I accept that Janmark is going to take that spot over Pederson
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Last thoughts
- Jack Campbell has played extremely well through the pre-season. Again, it's tough to make any broad statements on pre-season games but the fact that Campbell hasn't looked unprepared or weak is at least something to build on. I wouldn't be surprised to see Skinner and Campbell splitting starts throughout the season.
- It is looking like the cap next year will be between 77-78 million. Fantastic news for the Oilers that are already looking like they are going to have cap issues come next season.
- Next time the Oilers are in action will be on the road for Game 1 of the 23/24 season on Wednesday!