Oilers Training Camp Battles – Final Results

Over the last week, we’ve went over the anticipated training camp battles that will take place next month in Edmonton. Without doubt, this will be one of the more entertaining camps in recent memory.

Peter Chiarelli improved this roster in a big way, no one will argue that. That’s not the only thing he did however, he also added tons of competition, forcing young players to earn their spots and forcing under performing veterans to look over their shoulders.

My Battle Results:

I have Ben Scrivens winning the back-up job with Anders Nilsson heading to the AHL to backup Laurent Brossoit. On top of that, I have young Griffin Reinhart winning a roster spot while Darnell Nurse starts his professional career in the AHL.

Teddy Purcell will get the honor to ride shotgun with Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall, while Iiro Pakarinen wins that fourth line right wing spot.

I’ve also penciled in Eric Gryba and Andrew Ference for the NHL team, while Brandon Davidson hits waivers and Nikita Nikitin is moved down the line.

My roster has 14 forwards and seven defenders, it’s a more traditional look. That being said, it is entirely possible that the Oilers elect to go with 13 forwards and eight defenders. That would enable them to keep Nikitin should he impress or a trade not present itself.

I’ll also say this, I personally prefer Nikitin to Ference, but Ference’s contract and NMC will make it near impossible to move him during the season.

My Opening Night Roster:

Let’s agree on a few things here. First, this roster is improved over the group that entered last season. Edmonton has four NHL centers, a slightly better defense and a more stable situation in net. Let’s also agree that this team is a work in progress. It’s an excellent start, but it’s not close to good enough to win anything of substance.

I think we will see changes to this group during the course of the season. Andrew Ference, Nikita Nikitin (should they go eight D), Teddy Purcell, Justin Schultz, Eric Gryba, Ben Scrivens, Luke Gazdic and Rob Klinkhammer could all be moved out at some point in the next nine months.

That being said, here is the roster I have pegged to take the ice on October 8th in St. Louis against the Blues.

Forwards

Benoit Pouliot – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle

Taylor Hall – Connor McDavid – Teddy Purcell

Lauri Korpikoski – Anton Lander – Nail Yakupov

Matt Hendricks – Mark Letestu – Iiro Pakarinen

Luke Gazdic, Rob Klinkhammer

Defenders:

Andrej Sekera – Mark Fayne

Oscar Klefbom – Justin Schultz

Griffin Reinhart – Eric Gryba

Andrew Ference

Goalies:

Cam Talbot

Ben Scrivens

Is this is a playoff team? Where do they finish? I’ll reveal that in September. Until then, what do you think of this group?