Key fights for position before Edmonton Oilers training camp: 9 fights

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Another twist on 9 things this week…

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As Rookie Camp and Main Camp draw closer, let’s focus on the fights to come.

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This edition of the Edmonton Oilers differs from many over the past decade, which would leave fans wondering who could even master some of the 23 slots. While most of the names set to make the lineup in 2022-23 are predetermined. Much of last year’s Western Final Club is back.

That there are still fights is a good thing. That’s called competition. And it floats all boats.

So this week?

9 battles

9. goalkeeper. Jack Campbell is de facto number 1 and will have every chance (and more) to establish himself as such. So if there’s a fight, it’s over 2G. Stuart Skinner is favored. But veteran Calvin Pickard waits in the wings when there’s an injury, when Skinner has been sitting too long and needs some work, or when Skinner is faltering. Dark Horse: mike smith Dare to dream.

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8th. 13F. There are many factors that determine this. Devon Shore emerges as the odd “favorite.” Not great at anything, Shore is capable enough at many things. That versatility could be key to Shore staying this fall. dark horse: Brad Malone or Greg McKegg if either of them outperforms Shore. I think the head coach believes in what Malone brings and has a history with him.

7. 4^th right wing line. If I were a bettor, once the squad is set for cap compliance, Derek Ryan will start as either a 3RW or 4RW. If Puljujarvi and Yamamoto both perform, Ryan will be at 3RW. If that’s not the case and someone like Hyman or Kane needs to slide over, then expect Ryan at 4RW. dark horses): Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Benson, Seth Griffith, Justin Bailey, TBA. Benson could be 1st^St Understudy, Bourgault the Greatest Longshot. But I also think another striker is likely to be signed or released.

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6. 4^th line center. If Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stays at pivot, the fight is likely to be over before it begins and Ryan McLeod will intervene here. Young McLeod seemed to improve with every game he played during the regular season. And he upped that performance in the playoffs. It’s the almost elite speed that McLeod possesses that’s so alluring. He skates like a top 6 performer. And McLeod’s ability to PK and his (small sample, not bad for a rookie) career 47.7% circle is a solid 4^th line tools. Dark Horses: Noah Phillip, Derek Ryan.

5. 3^approx line center. There are many possible combinations. A lot depends on who ends up at 1RW. If either Puljujarvi or Yamamoto do, Zach Hyman and Evander Kane are likely to stay with LW. But if either Hyman or Kane is needed at RW then there’s a good chance Nugent-Hopkins would switch to left flank and play top-6. In this case, I can see Ryan McLeod slide right into 3C and look more than at home. dark horse: Derek Ryan, who I see starting on the right, as I said. But the veteran is a solid backup solution at pivot and is good at draws.

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4. 3^approx Left wing line. I see the top 3 contenders as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Warren Foegele and Mattias Janmark. Well, it’s a longshot that Nuge plays outside of the top 6 unless he’s in the middle. And so it probably falls to Foegele and Janmark to scrap the 3LW starting job. Which man can make a bigger contribution on special teams can make all the difference. Janmark is a solid PK guy. Foegele has done this in the past, but not in the last year. dark horse: Dylan Holloway. If the rookie turns off the lights at training camp and earns the spot, a trade for one of the other 2 is likely. That would be a nice problem to have.

3. 2^nd Mating Right Defense. If we see the version of Tyson Barrie that did so well in the playoffs, this could be his place. When Barrie dug in and really fought, his defense was more than adequate. Dave Manson was very good for Barrie’s game. And we all know what he can do with the puck and on the power play. But if Barrie doesn’t continue to show that improved side of his game, then Evan Bouchard sits at No. 2. He certainly has the offensive chops. But Bouchard isn’t a defensive ace either, at least not yet. I expect Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci to be a top pairing. dark horse: If anyone gets hurt, “The Sea Monster”, 6’7 Vincent Desharnais lurks in the depths of Bakersfield.

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2. 3^approx Pair Left Defense. The signing of Ryan Murray added a healthy dose of intrigue for those of us who thought we might be in for a Philip Broberg coronation. Most people expected Broberg to break camp as a 3LD, and he still can. But it’s no longer a (mostly) sure thing. And if Marcus Neimelainen and Dmitri Samorukov had ended up at 3LD, it would have meant that young Broberg (a key prospect) was struggling mightily. On the other hand, if Broberg can step up and fend off Murray’s challenge, that would be great news for the organization. Broberg sees his potential at the NHL level and Murray remains an adequate 7D. dark horse: Slater Koekkoek. Who knows what, if anything, the veteran defender will bring?

1.1^St right wing line. I suspect the Oilers want to at least start with Jesse Puljujarvi in ​​this slot. If the tall Finn can make this work for the McDavid trio, that’s great news for absolutely everyone. But I also don’t think they will wait long for this combination. A quick shuffle could send Kailer Yamamoto to the lead, or (more likely, I suspect) Zach Hyman could slide over from LW. Then the dominoes could fall right over the lineup. Some Oilers observers would start with Hyman on the right, and I understand that. But I also believe you have more to gain than lose by giving Puljujarvi the first try. And while I’m aware that some analysts don’t love the Draisaitl/Yamamoto combination, I see the chemistry between them.

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dark horse: Leon Draisaitl. For my money, when Leon is on the wing, he’s better on the right than on the left. So if Jay Woodcroft wanted to, he could start with the nuclear option, pairing Connor and Leon along with Kane on the left. And the Oilers would still have McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, McLeod and one of Ryan/Shore/Malone/McKegg in the middle. Not bad.

None of the above allows for injuries which are likely. It’s a long, tough season. But with this edition of the Edmonton Oilers, there seems to be enough depth to cover a variety of circumstances.

But question marks remain on the right wing and in defence. Let the battles begin!

Find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins

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