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PS GAME 3: McDavid Returns + Oilers Cut Eight More |
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UPDATE
The Oilers have announced they have sent eight players back to Bakersfield:
Tyler Benson
Josh Currie
Joseph Gambardella
Caleb Jones
William Lagesson
Patrick Russel
Ryan Stanton
Dylan Wells
None of these should come as a surprise as all were destined to start the season in the AHL, it is best to get them back to their team and ready to start their season which begins at the end of September. The two biggest surprises are likely one player who was sent down and one who was not.
Tyler Benson finally had a chance to start the season with the Oilers and looked great in every game he played. He should not be in the conversation for opening night roster but I thought they may keep him around and give him a chance with Draisaitl or other NHL players.
I have a familiar headache hearing that Keegan Lowe has not been sent down yet. Lowe has not impressed by my eye and made a number of gaffs against the prospect level Canucks squad. Overall I felt like Caleb Jones did more to impress in camp.
The team looks focused on getting the main NHL group going and likely we will see the likes of McLeod, Marody, Bear and others sent down shortly.
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he Oilers play their third of eight pre-season games tonight. Veteran players hate having a pre-season this long, I don’t know any fans who are clamouring to pay 70 bucks for tickets… can the league agree to shave off even three games and start the season a week earlier?
Nevertheless, watching the first two pre-season games was enjoyable. Seeing the likes of Benson, McLeod, Bouchard and others in action gives the fans a glimpse into the future and the excitement these players can bring. Tonight however will bring something fans have been waiting for since the middle of April; the opportunity to see Connor McDavid streaking down the ice
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LINEUP
OILERS
RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Rieder
Khaira-McLeod-Puljujarvi
Chiasson-Marody-Aberg
Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Bouchard
Garrison-Bear
Talbot
JETS
Copp Lowry Tanev
Vesalainen Roslovic Appleton
Lemieux Griffith Dano
Spacek Everberg Lipon
Morrissey Trouba
Stanley Morrow
Niku Poolman
Comrie
I was curious as to who was going to play on the right side with McDavid and RNH tonight but it looks like McLellan wants to see as early as possible whether or not Rattie can replicate the success he found at the end of last season. During his last game against the Canucks Rattie scored two goals. The first was a jumbled mess of bodies in front of the net with Rattie eventually pushing the puck past the goal line. His second goal looked much nicer as Rattie was able to separate and get the puck behind Ben Hutton and chipped a quick shot past Anders Nilsson.
Scoring a couple goals is a nice bonus but what was more important was who Rattie was playing with. Rattie played the right side with Cooper Marody and Ostap Safin, two players who obviously do not have the skill of McDavid. If Rattie wants the gravy minutes with #97 he needs to prove he can drive his own offense and not be a passenger. It was a good first impression.
Rattie was the Oilers second best forward during that game but the top spot goes to Jesse Puljujarvi. Puljujarvi looked much more confident than I have seen him play. He carried the puck with confidence and shot from dangerous areas instead of just the perimeter. Confidence is a funny thing for athletes. Over his last two pre-seasons I cannot recall noticing Puljujarvi in a strong way. Scoring a few goals early hopefully will give him some swagger going into Game 1.
Right wing… really wing depth in general is still an area of concern for this team. Rattie, Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, Benson, and potentially even McLeod all showing well is the best case scenario for how things stand. Real competition exists within this group and should prevent any one from being gifted a spot.
Last bit about last game is some thoughts on Cam Talbot. Yes his save of the year candidate is obviously the most exciting thing to talk about but again, his overall play has me more impressed. Talbot tracked the puck well throughout the game, never made himself smaller than he had to be, and challenged play well. Everything fans came to appreciate during the 2016/2017 season.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
1) McNuge Returns! I’ve already talked plenty about Rattie but the other two thirds of that line is what puts butts in seats. McLellan finally gave Nuge and McDavid a chance to play together last season and the results did not disappoint. This duo will likely be joined at the hip for the season and should be the Oilers prominent offensive force.
2) Draisaitl’s Turn On The Island. Over the past two seasons Leon Draisaitl has benefited greatly from Connor McDavid. It helped him to his past two 70+ point seasons and his current contract. Make no mistake; Leon Draisaitl is a fantastic hockey player and the Oilers second best forward. Like RNH before him it will be up to Draisaitl to find a way to produce despite not playing with the strongest linemates.
3) Nurse Makes His Debut. It almost came down to the wire but the Oilers and defenceman Darnell Nurse were able to come to a two year bridge deal and a more than reasonable price. The day after Nurse signed, he flew back to Edmonton and will see his first game action tonight paired with Evan Bouchard. At least for the first 9 games of this season this has potential to be the Oilers second pairing.
4) McLeod gets Rewarded. The trio of Benson-McLeod-Yamamoto have all impressed so far. Tonight McLeod gets a chance to play with some veteran NHLers in Puljujarvi and Khaira. Some are already trying to make a big deal out of this and that Strome is in danger of losing his job. Strome had a solid game against the Canucks. It is one pre-season game. McLeod has exceeded expectations and it is good coaching to reward him like this.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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