One more audition is all that is left for those players on the bubble as the Oilers take on the Flames in the last game of the 2019/20 preseason. One skater didn’t even get this final chance to show what he’s worth. Anton Burdasov was released from his PTO this morning by the Oilers and it’s a shame that everything took so long as I believe he might’ve made the roster had he had more time.
Puljujarvi Update: Karpat won again and Pulju had one goal. He leads his team in scoring with 6pts in 7 games!
https://twitter.com/TelialovesLiiga/status/1177979988726996992
Who’s Left?
Humor me for a second before we get to the three players to watch. I want to present a brief scenario for you with regards to the Oilers roster after tonight.
Yesterday, there was some talk about the Oilers playing their big centers at their natural positions after Coach Tippett tinkered with it at practice. I think I really like that idea, to be honest. I’ve long loved the idea of the team having a strong spine and this is exactly the way to go about it. Especially if they’re going to be playing a defensive style of hockey.
Jurco – McDavid – Neal
Nygard – Draisaitl – Kassian
Khaira – RNH – *Gagner
*Granlund – Sheahan – Archibald
Russell – Cave – Chiasson
Haas
Nurse/Larsson
Klefbom/Bear
Russell/Persson
Lagesson/*Benning
*Manning
Bold – Can be sent to the AHL w/o waivers
* – Trade candidates
I did this exercise on paper before Burdasov was released, so it was a bit muckier at forward at that time, but now things are more “clear”… Not really.
I think there’s a distinct possibility that some players might go to the AHL simply because their eligible to do so. It would give the Oilers some time to sort out their lineup a bit and let those players get their reps in down in Bakersfield on that powerhouse of a team.
For me, Matt Benning is on thin ice. He’s been thoroughly outplayed by hungrier players like William Lagesson and Ethan Bear. If I were the Oilers, I’d look to move him and his $1.9M deal to open up a spot for one of those who’ve performed better. Edmonton might’ve dropped the ball when the had a chance to trade him for Connor Brown (or was it Josh Leivo?) last season.
I really wonder about Markus Granlund. Has he been dinged up all preseason? It’s just that he’s not had a great camp at all and if we’re being frank, I’d have Patrick Russell ahead of him, no questions asked. Is he another Jussi Jokinen? Toby Rieder? Would anybody claim him if he were put on waivers? Look, if he is hurt, the Oilers would benefit from putting him on the IR for the same reason they might send someone else to the AHL. More time to evaluate is never a bad thing.
It’s probably safe to say that Brandon Manning will be cut at some point, put on waivers, and sent to the AHL, but what about Sam Gagner? He’s on quite the ticket and he just had a new baby. If he’s not good enough to make this team, could the Oilers find a way to get him closer to home? I’m not really sure where home is for his family, that could be in Edmonton for all I know. It could also be in Toronto too, I’m not sure. But I think you get the gist of my question.
In any event, if three players need to be cut from the forwards, wouldn’t it make sense to send the AHL-eligible players until a roster move could be made, be that someone to the IR or a trade?
How about the defenders? They’d need to cut one more OR send someone to the IR. Persson’s hurt at the moment, so he could be a candidate for the injured reserve. We’ll see, right?
Tonight the Flames are dressing their opening night roster, more or less. Milan Lucic is in, as is Toby Rieder and Matt Tkachuk. I think Calgary wants a bit of revenge after that 6-2 spanking the Oilers gave them a few nights ago, don’t you?
Three Players to Watch for the Flames
#Flames projected tonight vs. Edmonton:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Lucic-Bennett-Mangiapane
Czarnik-Jankowski-RiederGiordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
MacDonald-AnderssonRittich
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) September 28, 2019
Milan Lucic will obviously be a player Oilers fans will be keen to see. With all the pressure off, will the old Milan return or is it all over for the big guy? I really like the line he’s on though. Sam Bennett and Andrew Mangiapane and quick, gritty, and skilled. Too much so for Milan? We’ll find out.
Personally, I’ll be interested to see how Tobias Rieder does. The Flames signed him to a one year deal, so they feel he’s done enough to make the team apparently. As with Lucic, can Rieder find a way to make a difference for this team? We know he’s got the speed, but when he was in Edmonton, he didn’t have to drive. He liked to spend his time on the outside. Has that changed for him?
Matthew Tkachuk is impossible not to see. He’s such a pain in the ass, but he’s crafted his game around that annoying style and he truly is emerging as one of the games great villains on the ice. I reckon there aren’t enough of these sort of players in the league. He’s a very talented hockey player but he has this other element that drives everybody nuts! Will he stand a bit taller and puff his chest out a bit more now that he’s got Lucic on his team? Will Milan stand for Tkachuk’s behavior?
Three Players to Watch on the Oilers
Tippett has one more game to gauge where everyone is and the challenge tonight is going to be a tall one given who the Flames are icing compared to who Edmonton is dressing.
Oiler roster vs Flames tonight. pic.twitter.com/9Tb06CIqvi
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) September 28, 2019
Patrick Russell isn’t playing tonight, does that mean he’s made the club, he’s picked up an injury, or he’s being sent down? I hope it’s the first option if you haven’t been able to tell. But since he’s not playing, I cannot choose him as one of the players to watch, so the first Oiler I’ll be promoting is Joakim Nygard.
The speedy Swede has shown in glimpses what he’s capable of, but nothing like what Tomas Jurco as done for example. Nygard needs to show a bit more against the Flames tonight in order to cement his place on this roster. His board battles need a bit of work and I’d like to see him shoot the puck a bit more. That said, if I recall correctly, he’s said he’s not against going to the AHL if need be.
Sam Gagner put up points early in camp against some oppositions that weren’t quite what it’ll be vs. the Flames later on in the day. I said near the beginning of camp that I wouldn’t be shocked if he was a 40pt player again. He’s got the skill and the IQ, it’s only his skating (and maybe his defensive game…) that’s really holding him back from being a complementary winger. Plus if he’s lining up on Leon’s wing or Nuge’s, that can only help things from a production POV. Do not disregard his ability to perform in a shootout. He’s always been excellent there.
He Haas to get it done tonight. Gaetan Haas has taken steps in each game he’s played this preseason. He’s been just a little bit better with every shift, but I’m not sure it’s been enough. Being a right-handed shot is really a massive advantage for him, however, is that enough to usurp Colby Cave? I’ve been impressed by Haas’ compete and his ability to get back defensively. There’s a player there, but how attached is Holland to him? I’ve heard on a couple of occasions folks say that he’d probably rather go back to Europe and play for a bigger salary there than languish in the AHL waiting for his turn to be called up.
Who do you like for the game tonight? Let us know in the comments below!
