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Oilers Make More Cuts. Final Roster Coming Together |
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Today the Oilers announced more cuts as the roster shrinks to 29 players.
For those not keeping score at home, here is a rough lineup of the remaining players
RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Strome-Rieder
Caggiula-Brodziak-Kassian
Aberg-McLeod-Yamamoto
Chiasson
Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Benning
Russell-Bouchard
Jerabek-Bear
Garrisson
*Sekera
Talbot
Koskinen
Montoya
Some thoughts:
- Last season the Oilers came into camp with no veteran right wing depth, banking that the likes of Puljujarvi, Caggiula, and Slepeshev would take massive steps forward. They did not. This year the plan was... to do the exact same thing but instead hope that Rattie, Puljujarvi, Yamamoto and Rieder would chip in.
Luckily this year it seems to be working. Rattie leads pre-season scoring not just for the Oilers but for the NHL with 7 points in 2 games, Yamamoto has 4 goals in 3 games and Puljujarvi has 2 goals and skating with more confidence than we have ever seen. This isn't to say each of these players will be 50-60 point players but so far they are proving they have the ability to play in a skill role.
Like most NHL veterans, Rieder is likely not putting in 100% yet and should look more capable as games go on. Having said that he is in danger of losing his top 6 spot. Yamamoto and Puljujarvi have out played him. Between Rattie, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, and Rieder in the top 9 someone is going to be the odd man out.
- Scottie Upshall was released from his PTO but McLellan stated today that Upshall would stay in Edmonton and rehabilitate and did not rule out him signing in the future. McLellan is a guy who likes his vets.
- Ryan Strome has tweaked his groin and McLellan expects him back for the season opener. Right now Khaira is centering the third line between Rieder and Puljujarvi. If Strome needs longer to recover I would be curious if the team would keep Ryan McLeod up for the first game or two of the season.
- It's funny (is funny the right word) how poor Drake Caggiula looks when he isn't piggybacking off of elite players. I wonder if the new assistant coaches have anything to do with the fact we haven't seen Caggiula bumped up the lineup.
- As of today it seems almost guaranteed Bouchard will start the season with the Oilers. The question will be whether or not he stays with the team. Should Bouchard falter the team would then likely call up Ethan Bear to fill in on the third pairing.
From my understanding I do think the team will look to make a larger roster move for a top four defender should the team struggle out of the gate. Possibly from an Eastern team.
- Aberg and Chiasson have not been bad by any means but I don't know if either has done enough to stick with the big club. Aberg will be sent down to the AHL and an option for callup while Chiasson might be looking for work elsewhere. Garrisson is another guy I doubt sticks around
- Mikko Koskinen's start probably isn't what Peter Chiarelli was hoping for. He got lit up by the Flames prospects and then allowed 3 goals on 9 shots against the Jets. Some were quick to point out that none of the Jets goals were bad goals but as an NHL goaltender at some point you simply need to stop the puck.
Now, while the team should be using the remaining games to get him and Talbot into game form they will also have to give Montoya a game in case Koskinen is sent down. The three headed goalie monster could be returning to Oil Country.
Next game action is back at home against the Canucks on Tuesday.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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