As a rule of thumb, the shorter the summer, the greater the anticipation of a new season when the puck drops in training camps surrounding the NHL.
That goes for fans around here, as the Edmonton Oilers kick off their 2022 training camp with physical exercises today before hitting the ice tomorrow. With another series being played after the Western Conference Finals and a three-week shorter summer after a win over the Colorado Avalanche was nowhere in sight, expectations are high for the Oilers after a 104-point season. the team’s highest total since 1986-87.
Throw in the introduction of Ryan Smyth and Lee Fogolin, who became the first two additions to the team’s just-created ring of honor on Tuesday, and everyone’s excited to drop the puck and see what Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the rest of the next issue will give the Oilers a full season under manager Jay Woodcroft.
Questions? Secure. Like you, I have some when it comes to the roster that GM Ken Holland and Woodcroft will take to camp and into the preseason that begins Sunday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets. Once things start, everything goes pretty fast. Your questions are probably the same as mine. Here’s who and what I’m looking at. . .
JACK CAMPBELL
Like former Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Zach Hyman, Jack Campell seems like a great guy who is easy to like. More importantly, given that the Oilers awarded him a five-year, $25 million contract, Campbell is a clear improvement over the late tandem of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen. That will require quality and quantity.
Campbell hit a career-high 49 games with Toronto last season, and the Oilers will need at least that many from him or they’ll lean too heavily on Stuart Skinner. Campbell needs to top up the .914 he put up last season for the Oilers to be significantly better in the blue color — he was .921 in 22 games two seasons ago. If the Oilers aren’t better in goal, all that talent up front won’t be enough to make another move.
ZACH AND EVANDER
It has been said more than once that the Oilers scored a lot of goals last season. It was the goals conceded, that was the problem. Agree on both counts. But during McDavid and Draisaitl drive the attack Hyman and Evander Kane delivered a depth of offensive pop the Oilers didn’t have. Kane in particular gave the Oilers a game breaker and difference maker behind McDavid and Draisaitl. Hyman had a career-high 27 goals. Kane scored 22 goals in just 43 games and added 13 more goals in 16 postseason games.
I didn’t think the Oilers would re-sign Kane as UFA, but he’s back on a four-year deal worth $20.5 million. Simply put, Kane is a rare blend of skill, speed and a nasty competitive edge. If he can put in a reasonable encore over 82 games, it will make a big difference for the next step. As Kane put it today, “High expectations are a good thing and none are higher than in our room. We are looking forward to building on last season.”
Hyman is a little more subtle about getting the job done, but he’s competitive and has an engine that never stops. He brings the surface to the net, tackles every shift and is versatile. Wind up Hyman and release him. It’s plug and play.
EVAN BOUCHARD
The Oilers’ defensive play needs improvement ahead of Campbell and Skinner. Everyone, especially veterans Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci, needs to get their share of it. That means I’m watching Evan Bouchard after the big step up he made last season and he wonders how much is still to come. Bouchard, who turns 20 on October 23, had a coming-out party with 12-31-43 in 81 games for an ice time average of 19:48.
With just 102 NHL games on the books since his draft day in 2018, Bouchard has not been rushed and there is still room to grow. With Nurse, Ceci (injured to start camp), Tyson Barrie and Brett Kulak in the Blueline mix, there is ample cover for Bouchard to come along as his performance demands. What is his top end for offensive production? Is he ready for more ice age this season? what do you say dad
THE WILD CARDS
Dylan Holloway is an intriguing player at forward, having garnered rave reviews at Penticton, and even if he’s not ready to stick around and stay to start the season, he’s upped his stocks and, according to those who watch him, is looking out first Hand observed a player from . . . I’d like to see Jesse Puljujarvi Make the transition from analytics darling to a forward you can rely on to play an entire season and score consistently. If he does, the Oilers will be a lot better on their right. . . Ryan Nugent Hopkins sometimes gets lost in the mix, but its versatility gives Woodcroft some options up and down the wing and center lineup. Where is RNH playing most of their time this season?
HOW I SEE IT
There is of course more to consider. After making a splash behind the bench when he was replaced by Dave Tippett, Woodcroft has a tough act ahead of him with the 26-9-3 record he set in the second half. After a full off-season and training camp to prepare, what does his encore look like? And what answers will Holland, who met with the media today, give? I see a move or two coming before the regular season starts.
I let the Oilers win the Pacific Division last season, as did many others. I was wrong about that. I see them trying again this season and finishing ahead of Calgary this time. What comes after that – another step into the playoffs – matters more. Finding out how (and if) the Oilers can do that begins to unfold tomorrow. Here we go.
- When: On Thursday, January 12th, we’ll board a plane at Edmonton International Airport and make our way to Vegas. We fly back to Edmonton from Vegas on Sunday evening. So the dates you need to keep free for this trip are January 12-15.
- Where we stay: Upon landing in LV, we board the complimentary shuttle and make our way to Park MGM before settling down for a good night’s sleep. 😉
- What you get: Your return airfare, hotel, shuttle, viewing party (Friday night), game entry – this time we have seats (Saturday night) and exclusive entry to our pre-trip “get to know each other” event.
- How much: The total cost of travel, flight, hotel and entry to the game is $1499 per person (based on double occupancy)
- Tickets: Ready to dive in? Click this link.
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