We’re less than one month away from the start of Edmonton Oilers training camp. Over the next month, the Oilers Rig will be bringing you our usual pre-season content. The ‘Just Who Is Series’ kicks off in about two weeks, and of course we’ll have total coverage of training camp and the rookie tournament.
In the meantime, it’s probably worth our while to look at the battles that we will see in camp next month. Over the next week and a half, that’s exactly what I’ll do.
There are a number of battles that will take place in September. Some of them will determine which players make the roster, while others will determine line combinations on opening night in St. Louis on October 8th, about a month and a half from now.
The first battle we will profile? The 4th line right wing spot, likely the role next to role player Matt Hendricks and new center Mark Letestu.
The Candidates:
The incumbent to this role is Rob Klinkhammer, the man acquired in the David Perron trade back in January. Klinkhammer is a good veteran checker who does a lot of things right, but he struggles mightily offensively. Klinkhammer had only three points in 40 games as an Oiler this season.
Luke Gazdic could also throw his name in the hat here. He only scored three points in 40 games as well, but Gaz’s role is that of a fighter and physical presence. To his credit, he fills that role well.
Tyler Pitlick looks like a real NHL player, but he simply can’t score consistently and can’t stay healthy. That said, if the 2010 2nd rounder can just stay off the IR, he might be the best of this bunch. He’s got speed, plays physical, and has scored well in the AHL the last two seasons.
Iiro Pakarinen is the last horse in this race. He’s likely the most skilled player in this group, 28 points in 39 AHL games and three in 17 NHL tilts, but he’s also got speed and a physical presence. Pakarinen plays a hard game, keep that in mind moving forward.
Who Is The Favorite:
Todd McLellan and Peter Chiarelli were brought here to win hockey games. McLellan, historically, has leaned on his veterans in spots like this. That said, McLellan also likes certain player types, he likes aggressive players that work hard, have some speed and can win battles while also chipping in.
The only two players that fit that description, at least in my mind, are Tyler Pitlick and Iiro Pakarinen. Both are young, but both have the tools that McLellan has historically loved in his lineup.
If I had to handicap this race, I’d say that as of now, Iiro Pakarinen is the favorite for the fourth line right wing spot. Originally I had him in the AHL to start, but after breaking it down I just think he fits the roster too well and that McLellan will fall in love with his play.
The Final Results Of The Battle:
I think that Todd McLellan will elect to keep multiple players from this battle on the roster. Like I said above, I think Iiro Pakarinen will be the overall winner and will end up sliding in next to Letestu and Hendricks on opening night, but some guys will get consolation prizes.
Honestly, I think both Rob Klinkhammer and Luke Gazdic will make the roster as well, meaning both the 13th and 14th forwards in the NHL are wingers. I don’t necessarily agree with that decision, but I just can’t see Edmonton flushing these two guys in camp.
Peter Chiarelli’s teams in Boston routinely had enforcers, while Todd McLellan had them for a chunk of his time in San Jose. Luke Gazdic is well liked by his teammates and fills the enforcers role admirably. I can’t see him getting waived at the conclusion of training camp.
I also don’t think McLellan will send away Klinkhammer. Why? McLellan, as mentioned, likes his veterans and Klinkhammer is a solid veteran role player. He certainly won’t make a massive difference, but he also won’t kill the team should he be interested into the line-up at any point.
An underrated pro to this result? If an injury occurs up the lineup, Pakarinen has the skill to move up while Klinkhammer can slide into the fourth line spot.
As for Pitlick, I think it’ll be another trip to the waiver wire for him this fall. It’s too bad, because I like the player, but he doesn’t score enough and isn’t established enough, in my mind, to get the benefit of the doubt from Todd McLellan.
Tomorrow, we will look at the top-six right wing battle that will take place in camp.
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