It was great to get that first hockey game of the season out of the way. The Oiler rookies were evenly matched with the Flames for a significant portion of the game but busted loose in the 3rd period to take the win.
Kailer Yamamoto looked good in the game. He was very shifty and creative, often looking like a solo act more than a part of his line. The player who took the opportunity to shine the most, however, was Chad Butcher. The forward out of Medicine Hat in the WHL picked up 2 goals and an assist in the game and he was pushing for that hat trick goal late. The Oilers signed Butcher to an AHL contract after he scored 103 points in his 20 year old season in the WHL.
Newly signed Ryan Mantha also picked up a couple points in the game by unleashing point shots that were tipped. There was definitely an effort by the blueline to get shots in against the Flames. Given the strengths of this particular squad, that's not unsurprising.
CAMP NOTES
The Oilers signed soon to be 37 year old center Chris Kelly to a PTO. This player has a history with Chiarelli and spent his last season in Ottawa. During his last stint in Ottawa he played a full season but averaged the lowest ice time of every regular forward in their lineup at a little under 12 minutes a night.
Kelly had the worst possession numbers on the Sens except for Curtis Lazar. If we look at the player as he is today, this is probably the last time he will wear an NHL sweater. Kelly helps the Oilers meet veteran requirements in the preseason and letting him try out is a professional courtesy from Chiarelli to a player that he has history with, but I don't see a lot of scenarios where he earns a deal.
LINEUP
No Yamo tonight but we look to see if Butcher can repeat his performance.
Gambardella Butcher Maksimov Polei Szypula Wolansky Pawlenchuk Koch Saigeon Coleman Bauer Owre
Lagesson Bear Samorukov Khaira Schioler Strand
Skinner
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Butch. Chad Butcher is looking to start his professional career while on an AHL deal this fall. The more he shows now and into this season, the higher the chance he earns an ELC from the Oilers or someone else. He was fantastic yesterday looking both skilled and smart.
2) Top Pair. Last night's blueline was stacked with all the name prospects, but tonight's affair will rely on their top pairing a lot more. Lagesson and Bear will need to push this group along. Indeed that's the expectation. Bear and Lagesson were held off the scoresheet last night. Let's see if that changes.
3) Maximum Effort. Kiril Maksimov had a solid game last night and he finds himself on the top line tonight as a result. Maksimov had mixed results last season. He was split between Saginaw and Niagara. He had 6 goals in his first 37 games before the trade and 15 in his last 29 games. We might want to keep a close eye on this one.
Puck drops tonight at 8:30 PM Mountain Time on the Oilers website. Game On!
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