Sean Maloughney: Oilers Make More Cuts. Final Roster Coming Together The Oilers make more cuts as the competition gets tougher for the last available spots.

Koskinen should be fine even if he does need some ahl time. Montoya will prob be backup for 10 games then switch. Justin faulk would be ideal giving the kids d men more time in minors/ahl

Shouldn't everyone be sucking it?

Shouldn't everyone be sucking it?
- shoreorrpark

In an ideal firsting world, indeed. It is possible that Koskinen has used up all the sucking to this point, with assists to Kassian and Caggiula.

I'd like to see a line-up along these lines:

RNH- McDavid- Rattie
Khaira- Draisaitl- Puljujarvi
Rieder- Strome- Yamamoto
Lucic- Brodziak- Kassian
Chiasson, Caggiula

Klefbom- Larsson
Nurse- Benning
Russell- Bouchard/Bear
Jerabek, Gravel

While you've gotta be hesitant to break-up a trio that's working so far, I wonder how Khaira and Puljujarvi would do with Drai. He's a huge upgrade over Strome, he and Khaira have had positive results together and it'd fit the mold of a big and skilled second line to diversify our attack. Throwing a Lucic or Rieder out on a 3rd line with skill is likely where they're both better suited on the roster anyway.

First see how Yamo does with Draisaitl & Lucic but, if that doesn't click, maybe Todd will consider dropping Lucic down a notch.

Stauffer was saying he believes the oilers will be putting Yamamoto on the left side which makes sense, you dont keep a midget like yam up and stuff him on the 3rd or 4th line.

Stauffer was saying he believes the oilers will be putting Yamamoto on the left side which makes sense, you dont keep a midget like yam up and stuff him on the 3rd or 4th line.
- benmacw

Unless you're Tampa with Johnson when he first broke into the league, Point when he first broke into the league or Gourde when he first broke into the league. What's wrong with a skilled and productive 3rd line?

Unless you're Tampa with Johnson when he first broke into the league, Point when he first broke into the league or Gourde when he first broke into the league. What's wrong with a skilled and productive 3rd line?
- MaximumBone

we dont have skilled or productive players to play there other than yam? a complete waste of his talents.

Unless you're Tampa with Johnson when he first broke into the league, Point when he first broke into the league or Gourde when he first broke into the league. What's wrong with a skilled and productive 3rd line?
- MaximumBone

Except we aren't Tampa

Except we aren't Tampa
- Reveen.

No, we're most certainly not... but neither was Tampa when they started.

Does the fact that we're not them mean we shouldn't aspire towards improving and implementing methodology that is being proven to work (by Tampa, Toronto, Pittsbrugh, Boston, etc)? Speed and skill across as many lines as possible; that's the goal, that's what's winning games and that's what your mindset seems to run counter to.

I'm not saying Yamo would get no benefit from AHL time, but what's so wrong about him playing 3rd line minutes in the NHL? If he earns a spot on this team and helps this team win games why should he not get a spot? Any linemate he plays with on the 3rd line is gonna be a much better player than who he'd play with in the AHL.

Except we aren't Tampa
- Reveen.

we dont have skilled or productive players to play there other than yam? a complete waste of his talents.
- benmacw

Do you happen to know the sorts of players Tyler Johnson started his career playing with? Guys like Palat, Panik, Pouliot and Killorn saw regular shifts with Johnson. Aside from Palat, are they so far above guys like Strome, Lucic and Rieder? By my eye, they're all 35-45 point middle-6 guys that lack exceptional abilities but can still contribute.

He'd still be getting PP time and would likely work his way into the top-6 before too long- his competition isn't exactly high-end, after all.

Do you happen to know the sorts of players Tyler Johnson started his career playing with? Guys like Palat, Panik, Pouliot and Killorn saw regular shifts with Johnson. Aside from Palat, are they so far above guys like Strome, Lucic and Rieder? By my eye, they're all 35-45 point middle-6 guys that lack exceptional abilities but can still contribute.

He'd still be getting PP time and would likely work his way into the top-6 before too long- his competition isn't exactly high-end, after all.
- MaximumBone

Putting offensive players on a grinding line has burned us in the past and will murder his confidence if he and his line are unable to produce. It's a risk . It COULD pay off but I think edmonton is way past the experimental phase. Put players in the position where they will have the most success simple as that and the 3rd line is not the place for him. Guess we will see what TM has in mind for.him.

No, we're most certainly not... but neither was Tampa when they started.

Does the fact that we're not them mean we shouldn't aspire towards improving and implementing methodology that is being proven to work (by Tampa, Toronto, Pittsbrugh, Boston, etc)? Speed and skill across as many lines as possible; that's the goal, that's what's winning games and that's what your mindset seems to run counter to.

I'm not saying Yamo would get no benefit from AHL time, but what's so wrong about him playing 3rd line minutes in the NHL? If he earns a spot on this team and helps this team win games why should he not get a spot? Any linemate he plays with on the 3rd line is gonna be a much better player than who he'd play with in the AHL.
- MaximumBone

We don't have the depth to pull that off

Putting offensive players on a grinding line has burned us in the past and will murder his confidence if he and his line are unable to produce. It's a risk . It COULD pay off but I think edmonton is way past the experimental phase. Put players in the position where they will have the most success simple as that and the 3rd line is not the place for him. Guess we will see what TM has in mind for.him.
- benmacw

That's the Dallas Eakins sticking a square peg in a round hole methodology. Who in their right mind forces a guy like Yakupov to play 3rd line checking minutes because you dont like the defensive side of his game.

Yak should have been played to his strenghts.

Putting offensive players on a grinding line has burned us in the past and will murder his confidence if he and his line are unable to produce. It's a risk . It COULD pay off but I think edmonton is way past the experimental phase. Put players in the position where they will have the most success simple as that and the 3rd line is not the place for him. Guess we will see what TM has in mind for.him.
- benmacw

Who says the third line centered by Strome is gonna be a grinding line? It wasn't last year and it won't be this year.

Who says the third line centered by Strome is gonna be a grinding line? It wasn't last year and it won't be this year.
- MaximumBone

K

K
- benmacw

Alright