5 Edmonton Oilers training battles to keep an eye on next month
The Edmonton Oilers will open up training camp next month, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting one.
GM Stan Bowman was busy tweaking the roster over the summer, and some of his moves have created some competition around the lineup. New head coach Mike Babcock will be in charge of making the roster decisions this time around, and he will not have any shortage of tough decisions to kick off his Oilers tenure.
Whether it’s between the pipes, on the blueline, or a couple of young forwards pushing for playing time, here are the five most intriguing training camp battles that Oilers fans should keep an eye on when September rolls around…
1. Starting goalie
Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images
Players in contention: Tristan Jarry, Frederik Andersen, and Devon Levi
Goaltending will once again take centre-stage for the Oilers this season.
Unlike years past, there are three legit contenders who could get the nod for the starter’s job. Frederik Andersen feels like the clubhouse favourite headed into training camp, as he’s coming off a Stanley Cup-winning performance with the Carolina Hurricanes last season.
Edmonton, however, seems eager to see if Tristan Jarry can rebound from a disappointing second half last year and return to his starting form. Devon Levi represents the youngster who is looking to turn heads.
All three will likely stick on the NHL roster, but competition for the starting job is wide-open.
2. Top-six wingers (first and second lines)
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
Players in contention: Matt Savoie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Isaac Howard, Vasily Podkolzin, and Kasperi Kapanen
There will be quite a fight for which wingers will stick in the top-six with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Outside of those two, it appears only Zach Hyman has a guaranteed spot in the top-six, leaving three spots up for grabs. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins might be a favourite for one of those spots unless Babcock opts to use him on the third line, while both Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen have demonstrated some chemistry with Draisaitl before.
Matt Savoie is looking to build on a decent rookie campaign and ended the year on a line with McDavid last season. Isaac Howard will look to finally break into the NHL full-time and certainly has the skill set to play on either line.
3. Bottom defence pair
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
Players in contention: Ty Emberson, Spencer Stastney, Josh Brown, and Shakir Mukhamadullin
The Oilers blueline will look a bit different next year after the departure of Darnell Nurse.Ā
Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, Jake Walman, and Connor Murphy seem to have the top-four locked down, which will leave a few spots on the third pair up for grabs. Ty Emberson will hold a considerable edge over Josh Brown for the RHD spot on that pair, while Spencer Stastney and Shakir Mukhammadullin will battle it out for the LHD spot.
It feels likely that the seventh spot will drop to whoever loses out between Stastney andĀ Mukhamadullin.
4. Fourth line centre
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
Players in contention: Colton Dach, Josh Samanski, and Trent Frederic
The fourth-line centre spot is one of those roles that seems to be up for grabs every season, and it’ll be no different this Fall.
Trent Frederic is the veteran option who has shifted between the wing and centre over the past few seasons. He is looking to rebound after a disappointing season, and it feels more likely he’ll try to win a third-line spot on the wing.
If that is the case, Josh Samanski seemed to impress late last season and could be considered for the spot. Colton Dach has also proven that he can play centre as well.
5. Just make the team
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
Players in contention: Mathieu Joseph,Ā Josh Samanski, Quinn Hutson, Max Jones, and Connor Clattenburg
There will be a smattering of players simply wanting to make the NHL roster out of camp.
Mathieu Joseph likely has the best chance to stick around as a veteran option for the fourth line. Samanski needs to win out a role to stay with the Oilers, while Quinn Hutson, Max Jones, and Connor Clattenburg will need to show something in camp.
All three have shown flashes, but they have to catch Babcock’s eye if they want to avoid getting cut.