Oilers Open Training Camp

Here it is, the day we’ve been waiting for since early April when Edmonton knocked off Vancouver. The chill in the air has returned, that optimism in all of our hearts is back, and the sound of skates pounding the ice in 30 cities around North America once again rings freely in the rinks of NHL teams. It’s beautiful, and it marks the start of my favorite time of year, Oilers training camp.

On Friday the Oilers officially hit the ice for their first practice, and on Sunday they take the ice for their first pre-season game. Today? They report for medicals, and officially get the band back together for a chance at a playoff berth. Will they get it? That’s anyone’s guess, but today let’s just enjoy the return of the sport, and the team, that we love.

The Roster:

Some surprises, but not many overall. Here’s what we can expect by position.

Goalies: Ben Scrivens, Viktor Fasth, Richard Bachman, Laurent Brossoit, Tyler Bunz, Ty Rimmer, Frans Tuohimaa

Defenders: Mark Fayne, Nikita Nikitin, Jeff Petry, Andrew Ference, Justin Schultz, Keith Aulie, Martin Marincin, Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom, Brad Hunt, Brandon Davidson, Martin Gernat, David Musil, Jordan Oesterle, Dillon Simpson, CJ Ludwig, Jordan Rowley, Graeme Craig, Ben Betker

Centers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Boyd Gordon, Mark Arcobello, Leon Draisaitl, Anton Lander, Jujhar Khaira, Bogdan Yakimov, Jason Williams, Will Acton, Travis Ewanyk, Connor Jones, Marco Roy, Kyle Platzer

Left Wingers: Taylor Hall, David Perron, Benoit Pouliot, Luke Gazdic, Kevin Westgarth, Matt Hendricks, Jesse Joensuu, Ryan Hamilton, Curtis Hamilton, Kale Kessy, Mitch Moroz, Kellen Jones, Josh Winquist, Vladimir Tkachev, Alex Krushelnyski

Right Wingers: Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov, Teddy Purcell, Tyler Pitlick, Steve Pinizzotto, Iiro Pakarinen, Matt Ford, Andrew Miller, Greg Chase, Mitch Holmberg, Jackson Houck, Chris Baltisberger

The AHL Contracts:

The Oilers will have a few players in camp on AHL deals. Jason Williams and Matt Ford are veterans who likely won’t see NHL time but will get big roles in OKC aiding the young Oiler prospects. Forwards Mitch Holmberg, Josh Winquist, Connor Jones and Kellen Jones are on AHL deals, while defenders Graeme Craig and CJ Ludwig join them.

Holmberg and Ludwig were the best in my mind in rookie camp, and could show something that might garner potential NHL contract interest moving forward. All of these young players will get both ECHL and AHL playing time I’m thinking.

The Invites:

First is Vladimir Tkachev, who took rookie camp by storm. Yes he is small, but he is very skilled and has caught a lot of eyes. Personally, I think he’ll earn an NHL contract and be returned to the QMJHL as an Oiler prospect. Really, it’s a no lose situation for Edmonton if they were to do that.

Chris Baltisberger is a big and defensive forward from Europe who doesn’t produce much offense. I doubt he earns a contract, ditto for Alex Krushelnyski, who did not look good at rookie camp with the Oilers.

Defender Jordan Rowley from the U of A will get a shot, but is a long shot, as is NHL tough guy Kevin Westgarth, who is likely just there to provide added security during these pre-season tilts.

The Locks:

Taylor Hall, David Perron, Benoit Pouliot, Matt Hendricks and Luke Gazdic are locked in on the left side. At center, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Boyd Gordon and Mark Arcobello are locks, with both Anton Lander and Leon Draisaitl very close. On the right side, Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov and Teddy Purcell are set.

On the back-end, Mark Fayne, Nikita Nikitin, Andrew Ference, Jeff Petry, Justin Schultz and Martin Marincin are locked in, with Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth looked into the nets.

The Bubble:

Anton Lander and Leon Draisaitl will need to implode at center to not make the team. They are both on the bubble, but very close to locks. On the right side, Tyler Pitlick, Jesse Joensuu and Steve Pinizzotto are all on the bubble and will fight each other for the fourth line right wing job. Meanwhile, Keith Aulie, Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse are on the bubble defensively. That said, I’d be stunned if Nurse was not sent back to the OHL for his final junior season.

Predictions:

I’ll go with Tyler Pitlick snagging the fourth line right wing job, and Keith Aulie the number seven defensive job. I’ll also go out on a limb and say the Oilers only sign Tkachev from the camp invites, and will claim a forward off waivers towards the end of camp just like they did last year with Luke Gazdic. Klefbom will start in the AHL and Nurse goes back to juniors. Draisaitl gets the third line on opening night with Pouliot and Purcell.

Player To Watch:

You’ll be watching Leon Draisaitl anyways, so I’ll go with a less obvious one. Anton Lander has a chance to grab an NHL career here. How he performs will go a long way into determining the length of his Oilers career. I’ll be watching closely to see if this utility center can carve out a niche as a defense first, PK’er in the bottom six down the middle. He’s got the skill-set and determination.

I’ll also be interested in seeing his boxcars, which have been very good in the AHL, but down right brutal in the NHL. He’s a good possession player however, and does have value.