Over the past few days the Oilers rookies have played a couple of games against the rookie Flames. Like pre-season games there isn't going to be many bold statements that can be made against any players from these games. It gives the fans a glimpse of some players that they likely won't see in the NHL for at least two or three seasons, if not more. Here are some of my thoughts from the games.
I had absolutely no clue who Henry Rybinski was before the game on Saturday. It turns out he was a 5th round selection by the Florida Panthers in 2019. Rybinski scored two goals for the Oilers in that game, including one nice top shelf release. The 20 year old scored 7 goals and 28 points in the WHL last season and with a good performance I wonder if the Oilers will sign him to an AHL deal.
Another lesser known player who made himself known was right shot defender and 2017 7th round Oilers draft pick, Philip Kemp. Kemp also scored two goals, including a fast one timer that beat Flames netminder Dustin Wolf.
In that same game, right winger Ostap Safin notched a couple of assists and made some really strong heads up plays. He still looks pretty shaky in his own end and I found him gliding far too often when he didn't have the puck. Safin should be playing a full season in the AHL this year and coach Jay Woodcroft should be working with him heavily.
Tyler Tullio also showed his speed and offensive abilities. Tullio, who will captain the Oshawa Generals this season made a few good passes and was heavily involved with Rybinski in the Oilers first game. Tullio may be the next in a fresh line of smaller players who are showing they can play in the NHL.
I thought the Oilers most recent first round selection, Xavier Bourgault had a really strong game at both ends of the ice. In addition to notching an assist on the Kemp goal, Bourgault was one of the better forwards I thought in his own end, making a few good hits and being an aggressive forechecker. His style of play reminds me a bit of Yamamoto but being bigger than Yamamoto he is able to use his body more, instead of just relying on his stick work.
I continue to love prospect Raphael Lavoie. Lavoie scored the lone goal for the Oilers in their 4-1 loss in Game 2. Lavoie had by my estimate four good chances on net in that game and at all times he is thinking shoot. He might not be a defensive juggernaut but the Oilers lack many true snipers on their roster and in the system. Lavoie I believe has the potential to be a Hoffman or Eberle type of player for the Oilers.
Unfortunately we did not get to see much of Dmitri Samorukov as he suffered a broken jaw within his first couple of shifts. Samorukov will be out at least 6 weeks which is unfortunate. The optimistic side is Samorukov had just come back from a shoulder injury and not only is this a completely unrelated injury but he will now have even more time to rehab the shoulder.
I thought Broberg played well in both games, showing stronger in the second game. Some people seem very quick to jump on this player and place him in a negative light. I saw a player who was positionally sound, though maybe a bit too cautious to get involved in the play. His defensive game is great and he skates very well but it will be up to the coaching staff to help him transition those into a North American game.
Goaltender Olivier Rodrigue struggled in the first period in Game 1 against Calgary but bounced back in the second period. These games are far more open than a regular season game which means far more grade A chances on net. Not the best performance but certainly nothing to be terrified about.
On the other side, Ilya Konovalov played a great game and though the final was 4-1 for the opponent, it could have easily been a 7-1 game if not for some key saves. Konovalov came as advertised; using his athleticism instead of a big frame to move from post to post. Of any of the Oilers goalies that have a long term future in Edmonton, right now Konovalov gets my vote.
With Rookie Camp finished, we will get into the real deal starting Wednesday with the beginning of the NHL training camp.
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