Some surprising news today as the Oilers have placed 5 players on waivers.
Jujhar Khaira - C/W
Patrick Russell - RW
Joakim Nygard - LW
Alan Quine - LW
Anton Forsberg - G
These moves in large part are to place these players onto the TAXI squad. Names like Patrick Russell or Alan Quine shouldn't come as a surprise but two names do stand out.
Joakim Nygard posted 3 goals and 9 points last season and improved as the season progressed, adapting to the NHL game from Europe. His speed and forechecking made him a useful depth player. He has ability but I would be a little surprised if he was claimed.
More surprising is Jujhar Khaira being waived. The big 26 year old was expected to have a 4th line position nearly locked down, if not at centre than on the wing. Khaira was a big part of the second unit PK last season and was assumed to do such once more.
Khaira when he is on his game is a physical presence that can out muscle almost anyone on the puck, the issue is his consistency in doing such and clearly his coach once more is not seeing it or he wouldn't be waived.
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Around the league we are seeing some surprising names pop up on waivers today such as Corey Perry in Montreal, Matthieu Perrault in Winnipeg, and Derek Ryan in Calgary.
Derek Ryan in particular intrigues me as he would be an excellent defensive pickup and top unit PK option. His 3.125 million dollar contract this season is clearly high but if Holland can find a way to make it fit I would certainly explore it.
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For now it looks like 21 year old Ryan McLeod has beat out Khaira for the 4th line spot. Drafted in the second round in 2018 McLeod is a very strong skater and an excellent passer. He does carry some size though at the AHL level he has not consistently used it.
His style of play meshes great with the current NHL game and it will be great to see him make the jump. I love having real competition and seeing a player who deserves to make the team be rewarded and one who doesn't be treated as such.
As of today, here are how the Oilers lines sit.
RNH-McDavid-Kassian
Kahun-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Archibald-Turris-Puljujarvi
Ennis-McLeod-Chiasson
Nurse-Bear
Jones-Larsson
Russell-Barrie
I will update if any more news occurs today.
Thanks for reading!
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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