Until something drastic happens, this will likely be our 2021-2022 Edmonton Oilers.
15 Training Camp Thoughts
This is the deepest forwards group since 2005-2006. I see 4 solid lines at 5v5, and a good mix of potential penalty killers
The powerplay should continue to be lights out with this group, and the second unit should also be something to fear
If this team isn’t one of the hardest forechecking teams in the league, then that is on the coaching staff. With Zach Hyman, Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, Warren Foegele, and Josh Archibald in the Top 9, I don’t envy the opposing defensemen at all.
Zack Kassian should not be on this team, and the rubes in our MSM keep fawning over him with palm leaves. I do not get it. Look for Yamamoto-character assassinations if he starts the year off slow.
Ryan McLeod has earned an everyday roster spot. Fire Kyle Turris into the AHL and forget he exists.
Why did we sign Devin Shore to a two-year deal again? Give Tyler Benson the 4LW spot until he proves he shouldn’t have it. He will at least be the same as Shore results wise, and the team has enough penalty killing options.
I am very happy with the Derek Ryan signing, I’ve liked him since he played with the Alberta Golden Bears and have watched his career since. Should be a good bet as a 3/4th centre.
I would like to see a regular lineup that runs 97, 29, and 93 down the middle. When we have the lead, that is what Tippett should run and just roll all four lines.
That is pretty much all the positives with the roster. The defense and goaltending are at best, suspect. This team will have to score 300+ goals, good thing it could very well do that.
Darnell Nurse will have his on-ice shooting % regress backwards, and Tyson Barrie will continue to be a liability on 5v5 and give back anything he gains on 5v4.
Duncan Keith and Cody Ceci are going to be a high event 2nd-pairing that at best will approach even GF%, and will likely be a negative xGF% for the season.
Also, Duncan Keith has been in town for over two weeks but hasn’t got his shot until now and will miss a week of training camp? Talk about being the “leader” he was touted as coming in. Our MSM is wrong literally every time, it is quite impressive.
Our 3rd-pairing will see an everyday Evan Bouchard, but will also feature an everyday Kris Russell/Slater Koekkoek. Yikes.
Philip Broberg looks like he needs at least a full year in the AHL. Woof, what a waste of a Top 10 pick. Hope I am wrong, but our MSM is pumping his tires quite a bit, and we all know their track record.
I hope Ilya Konovalov will play a significant amount of time this year with the big club. Smith-Koskinen as a tandem gives me nightmares. We could deal with our defense corps if we had a solid goalie. But alas, nope.