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Over Halfway Done Fake Hockey - My Thoughts

September 23, 2019, 1:00 PM ET [59 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Ty Rattie led the Oilers in pre-season scoring a year ago. I feel it's important to start any pre-season based blog with that thought fresh in your minds.

The roster for the Edmonton Oilers is starting to shape up with the team cut down to 33 players. Some fans were disappointed when the likes of Ryan McLeod, Tyler Benson, and Cooper Marody were sent down; I for one was not. Finally we are seeing this management group take their time with younger players and not throw them into NHL spots just because they really hope they can score 50+ points.

All three of the players I just mentioned performed well in camp, but not spectacular. I'll admit I wished they gave Benson more of a chance with some better NHL players but that's mostly irrelevant. None of those players proved to the coaching staff that they deserved a spot over those who are still in camp. It doesn't make sense for Benson or McLeod to be playing on a fourth line for 10 minutes a night when they can dominate top line minutes in the AHL. We will see some of those players still this season.

For those still in camp, the roster is starting to shape up:


Right now Tippett seems to really be pushing for Sam Gagner to be a skill player in the top 6 but I just don't see it as a long term option this season. Gagner has some good hands and offensive instincts but he lacks the quickness to be an effective top 6 NHLers anymore. He did have his best game against Calgary, but the whole team was firing on all cylinders against poor Giles in net for the Flames.

Nygard may be another option in that spot as he finally got himself noticed in that same game. His speed was on full display and he made a number of good quick passes and scored a goal by crashing the net on a Darnell Nurse shot. I would like to see him shoot the puck from more high danger spots but hopefully that is a game he can build on.

I instantly have high hopes for Anton Burdasov. The big man skated much better than I expected but of course what impressed me most was his desire to shoot from any spot. Ben Scrivens was quoted, saying that Burdasov might have a top 10 in the NHL level of wrist shot and after watching that game I believe it. The amount of force and the speed he fires off his wrist shot is intriguing to say the least. With Neal on one side and Burdasov on the other, could the Oilers have a second line with some volume shooting?

The bottom six is going to be key for Edmonton this season and their ability to generate offense may likely be the difference between a playoff chance or lottery contention. Sheahan and surprisingly Colby Cave have been some of the better players in camp and both look like they are taking the competition seriously. Archibald has shown some flashes as has Jujhar Khaira. I had to go back and check to see what games Granlund has played in because I couldn't recall noticing him once. The big surprise in the bottom part of the roster has to be Patrick Russell who will likely earn himself a job as the 13th forward at the least due to his camp.

Who will be here on defense is still the most interesting story to follow. Persson, Bouchard, Benning, and Bear are all competing for spots on the right side while Lagesson, though a lefty might stick around as well. Part of why Evan Bouchard appears to be NHL ready now is the fact that he looks like a 30 year old... the other reason is his calmness on the ice and ability to make sharp passes up to the forwards is not something that Oilers fans are used to.

Due to the slide rule, if Bouchard does not play with the Oilers this season he will remain on his entry level contract for another year. It is a very tempting thing for the long term cap management of the Edmonton Oilers and as I have said before, the organization wants to send Bouchard down and hopes someone else can take that spot.

Persson has been able to keep up with Klefbom, and the veteran Oscar looks to be a great mentor to his linemate but there have been some hiccups with the pair as well. Every other team has almost trimmed their rosters down to their final team and Persson is going to be tested more and more with every game.

Matt Benning has had some okay looks but right now he is getting outplayed by Ethan Bear. Last season it was Caleb Jones who came into camp with a chip on his shoulders and something to prove.... this year it appears to be Bear's turn. Based on merit and sending Bouchard down to the AHL, here are the pairs I would run.

Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Persson
Russell-Bear
Lagesson

It's likely not ideal for two rookies in Lagesson and Bear to play together but right now I would rank everyone here (with the exception of Russell) as ahead of Benning. The fact that Benning has a contract and Bear doesn't have to clear waivers is likely the only thing that will keep Benning in the lineup.

With the amount of bargain bin signings and prospects competing for spots, we knew there was going to be some overflow on the roster at this time. With other teams trying to assess their own holes and issues, I wonder if Holland would aim to try and make a trade before opening night.

The Oilers next play on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes... we may even see Connor McDavid suit up for that game.
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