Oilers considering “shock benching” or roster move, says NHL insider

The Edmonton Oilers lost again to the Washington Capitals last night dropping their record to 9-9-4, and now they could need a shake up move. 

There’s growing pressure on the coaching staff to right the ship, but Kris Knoblauch has just signed onto a 3-year contract extension. Most of the veteran players have trade protection. The Oilers path forward might be a shake-up benching or roster move.

NHL insider believes Oilers considering shake up benching or roster move

In the most recent edition of the 32 Thoughts Blog, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggested the Oilers are considering a shock benching or calling up prospect Connor Clattenburg.

 I’m waiting for Kris Knoblauch to pull some shock benching to wake up everyone.

There was a hilarious post-game interview last weekend with AHL Bakersfield’s Connor Clattenburg, a first-year pro out of OHL Flint. I don’t know that he’s ready for NHL action, but I thought his energy is what they need.  

• Elliotte Friedman

There’s plenty of candidates who could be benched for the Coach to send a message to the rest of the roster. 

Before Darnell Nurse’s 2-goal redemption effort last night, he could’ve been considered a top candidate. New free agent additions like Trent Frederic and Andrew Mangiapane could also be included after their poor starts. A veteran bottom six player like Adam Henrique may be an option too. 

Healthy scratching any one veteran player might not be the best move though, singling out one player for the failures of really the entire roster. 

Adding a new player to the mix, like a call up for Connor Clattenburg, may be the better move. The 20 year old Clattenburg isn’t a skill player by any means - but he could give the team a spark with his physical play. 

In 15 AHL games this season, Clattenburg has 2 points and 59 penalty minutes. He’s a wrecking ball physically, throwing his body at every opportunity and never turning down a fight. At the very least, this would give the Oilers an element on their 4th line they don’t have.

Now past the quarter-mark of the season still outside a playoff spot, the Oilers will eventually have to consider some move to shake up their team, or they’re at risk of a lost season in McDavid’s prime.