The Edmonton Oilers made 18 roster cuts on Saturday night after their 3-0 victory over the Wild in Saskatoon. The moves didn’t come as much of a surprise, but they do have a real meaning for the opening roster that will travel to St. Louis in about a week’s time.
Going Going, Back Back, To Cali Cali:
The Oilers placed Ryan Hamilton, Andrew Miller, Tyler Pitlick and Brad Hunt on waivers on Sunday, and then assigned them all to Bakersfield of the AHL today after they cleared at noon est. Joining those on waivers were Matt Ford, Braden Christoffer, Josh Winquist, and Phil McRae, who are on AHL contracts.
Lastly, the Oilers sent down a group of prospects; Bogdan Yakimov, Jujhar Khaira, Greg Chase, Kyle Platzer, Kale Kessy, Jordan Oesterle, David Musil, Laurent Brossoit, Eetu Laurikainen, and Joey LaLeggia.
The Disappointments:
All of the players assigned were likely destined for the AHL anyways, but some of them had disappointing camps. I was really looking for good signs out of Tyler Pitlick, David Musil, and Jujhar Khaira, but didn’t see any. Pitlick looked okay in camp, but he failed to do anything of substance to push himself up the depth chart.
Musil looked slow to me, he’s now certainly behind fellow potential depth defender Jordan Oesterle. I was looking for a statement camp out of him, but didn’t see it.
Jujhar Khaira was invisible to me throughout camp, not a good sign for a forward that doesn’t exactly have offense on his resume.
Who Needs A Strong AHL Season?:
I think Laurent Brossoit really needs to keep chugging forward. His first two years in the organization have been quite successful, and I believe he is trending towards being a legit NHL option in net. A strong year as the undisputed starter in the AHL would go a long way.
I think there’s a real chance for Joey LaLeggia to have a long-term role in Edmonton too. If he can provide adequate defense with his offensive prowess, then he’ll be set up well to possibly make the team in the next year or two.
Tyler Pitlick is on his last legs in this organization in my eyes, if he doesn’t dominate and earn an NHL recall, he’ll be with another organization in July of 2016.
What Does It Mean For The Current Roster?:
A few things, really. Griffin Reinhart has had a strong training camp, and I believe is on the roster if the decision had to be made today. He’s handled a shut-down role quite well and looks NHL ready. I’m not ready to admit I was wrong on that trade yet, but so far so good for the Big Cat.
Leon Draisaitl has impressed quite a bit as well, and very well could make this team as a top-six winger. He’s got a good chemistry with Connor McDavid right now, and looked very comfortable with Anton Lander earlier in camp.
Anton Slepyshev and Brandon Davidson are the last two guys impacted here. Slepyshev has lasted longer than I thought, and will likely get a good look this next week. With Teddy Purcell hurt, the Oilers need some skill with size in their lineup, Slepyshev provides that along with speed and a surprisingly heavy game.
Do I think Slepyshev makes this roster? No, I don’t, but he’s positioned himself very well for a recall this year and a longer look next season when a player like Purcell is moved down the road.
Brandon Davidson needs another strong week to potentially upend Griffin Reinhart and/or force Peter Chiarelli to move a player like Nikita Nikitin. Davidson is, in my mind, a very good fit as a seventh defender in the NHL who can slot in and play.
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