We have only a couple days before the Oilers begin the Young Stars Classic and face their best prospects against the those of Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg (Sept 12, 13, and 15th respectively). The team will then take part in an unofficial extension of this tournament by playing the U of A Golden bears on the 17th. Main camp starts in short order after that. Here is the Oilers’ Young Stars roster.
The Young Stars tournament has been responsible for a few false positives like giving the impression that Magnus Paajarvi was more NHL ready than Eberle or Hall or that undrafted goalie X might be worth adding to the system. However, the tournament can also provide some foreshadowing of what's to come for these kids.
Last year Oscar Klefbom started really poorly after being away from game action for an entire year and playing on NHL sized rinks for the first time in his career. It seemed he improved significantly with every match. That quality followed him through the AHL season where he moved his way from 3rd pairing player up to NHL call up in just a few short months. His ability to learn and adapt may be his best asset.
Jujhar Khaira looked like a man among boys at the last Young Stars and stayed defensively sound, remaining even on a night when everything went wrong to the tune of 7 goals against, but he was completely ineffective in the offensive zone. He took that 6'5" 215lb frame to the WHL and put up well less than a point per game which calls into question his offensive instincts. He's going to play in the AHL this year, but if he can't impose himself on the attack with that frame in the CHL how will he do in the Pros?
A year ago it was the coming out party for Greg Chase and today he is on Team Canada's radar, not to mention the most interesting forward prospect in the system who isn't named Draisaitl. This kid had a reputation as an edgy guy and during a game he ended up waving his stick at a guy like Dr. Hook McCracken!
That's why I love this Tournament. I look forward to seeing these kids in action, seeing players I generally only get to read about.
This year my eye will be on Leon Draisaitl, Bogdan Yakimov, Greg Chase, Darnell Nurse, Dillon Simpson, and camp invite Vladmir Tkachev. There are others who will open eyes and others whose play could raise question marks that haunt them all year. One sleeper to be on the lookout for will be Mitch Holmberg. The smaller Holmberg (5’10… 175lb) scored 62 Goals in 72 games with the Spokane Chiefs as a 20 year old then added 56 assists to combine for 118 points.
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