This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!
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Lowetide.ca
- Right now, I would estimate Tyler Benson and Josh Archibald as being less likely to make the team. More likely? Brendan Perlini, who one suspects is on his way to winning the job, and Colton Sceviour, who is the plug-and-play replacement for Josh Archibald.
- Where does the Perlini spike put Benson? In a tough spot for sure, and he played well enough last night. Had a shot on goal that was a reasonable chance, cheated for defense a couple of times (appropriately) and forechecked well. He contributed on the PK, 1:42 total time ranking fourth among forwards.
- Benson showed reasonably well against a Seattle Kraken team that might be monitoring the waiver wire in the days to come, an organization interesting in bringing in young players who might contribute to an expansion team in a variety of roles.
BLH’s Thoughts: I think that Tyler Benson saved his camp last night in the third period versus WPG. Xavier Bourgault and him were FLYING in the final frame and we finally caught a glimpse of what he could do.
Now, the question has to be asked, did he play well because of his individual talent or because he was put on a line with a fantastic offensive talent like “Go-Go” Bourgault?
Either way, it was a good performance and this weekend, the coaching staff will be looking for more of that. For his sake, I hope he brings more of it.
FWIW, Bourgault has not looked out of place so far. I wonder if the brass will keep him around and put him in the lineup when the opposition starts to ice their proposed regular season rosters so that he can see what it’s like to go up against proper NHL skaters.
The Athletic
Oilers depth forward power rankings: Devin Shore and Brendan Perlini are on the rise after two strong outings
Devin Shore – He was part of the NHL group on Monday at left wing. He’s played centre in both games. The versatility serves him well in the eyes of the coaching staff. A nifty setup on Brendan Perlini’s goal against the Kraken was the icing on the cake.
BLH’s Thoughts: He’s been good so far. He’s skating well, the puckhandling has been nice, he hasn’t been a liability to his teammates either.
Ryan McLeod – Ryan McLeod hasn’t exactly popped yet, but he’s been fine. Tuesday’s performance wasn’t nearly as good as Sunday’s, though Tippett categorized it as “solid.”… McLeod isn’t a lock to make the team, but it’s still his job to lose.
BLH’s Thoughts: McLeod has looked a bit sleepy so far. The Oilers are going to keep him on the roster, there’s no doubt in my mind about that, but he’s more likely to start on the 4th line until he can find his stride.
Kyle Turris – Turris looks better than he did at any point last season. That’s a good start. Two assists Tuesday only add to the equation… Tippett mentioned last week that Turris could take faceoffs on his strong side while playing with a lefthanded pivot like McLeod or Shore.
BLH’s Thoughts: Same as Shore for me. Turris looks renewed and I see no reason to cut him yet. He might even be building up some trade value. So keep an eye on him in that regard.
Brendan Perlini – Two goals on Tuesday. Three goals in two games. That’s about as good of a start to the preseason as Perlini could have hoped to have… Though it’s unlikely he’d get PK minutes for the Oilers, he’ll have to show he can bring other elements to his game.
BLH’s Thoughts: Scoring goals always helps. I’d like to see how he does against better competition though. He might not get PK minutes but with that shot, is it out of the realm of possibility that he gets some TOI on the 2nd PP unit?
Tyler Benson – Tyler Benson was one of the standouts of the first week of camp thanks to some excellent efforts in practices and scrimmages… Tuesday’s performance wasn’t anywhere near as good. The Oilers were out-attempted 6-4 in the 7:34 Benson was on the ice at five-on-five.
BLH’s Thoughts: Just as Louie DeBrusk clued us in last week, the shine on Benson’s early training camp star has dimmed a bit. At least until last night against the Jets, but we’ve already talked about that. He’s at the point to where Perlini is passing him and so he needs to start pulling some rabbits out his hat to regain that favor he had early on.
Colton Sceviour – Being in camp on a tryout offer isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t necessarily mean Colton Sceviour is heading upstream without a paddle. In fact, he’s done a decent job through two games.The chances of making the team and earning a contract drastically increase if Archibald doesn’t play for the Oilers this season.
BLH’s Thoughts: He’s been quiet so far I feel, but not bad per se. I’d like to see more from him to be honest. I reckon there’s a physical game we haven’t seen yet.
Cooper Marody – Cooper Marody wasn’t part of the main group Monday and didn’t play Tuesday. Of all the players here, he is the only one with no chance — or next to no chance — of playing either special team at the NHL level this season… Marody is expected to play Wednesday in Winnipeg, providing him with the latest chance to alter his stock. There’s still time left.
BLH’s Thoughts: He’s getting passed by with every shift. That said, he had one backcheck last night that prevented a scoring chance that impressed me. The rest of his performances have left me wanting though.
The Hockey Writers (Rumors)
- Pierre LeBrun noted during the most recent episode of TSN’s Insider Trading that the Canadiens have extended a formal offer to their current GM to remain their GM. That contract extension was offered back in July, according to LeBrun’s sources.
- LeBrun also points out that the Lightning have agreed to an extension with Julien Brisebois and he has signed a new multi-year contract to remain in Tampa.
- Elliotte Friedman noted during his new 32 Thoughts podcast that Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres could wind up battling out the legalities of his contract if this stalemate between the two sides continues.
- There was a lot of talk about Jake DeBrusk this summer and speculation he might be traded after underperforming based upon expectations. He wasn’t moved and DeBrusk will be back for another season with a clean slate and a new attitude.
- According to an NHL.com story, Kane isn’t just being investigated because of allegations of serious “past behaviour toward Ms. Kane”, but they are looking at him regarding allegations of inappropriate behaviour potentially jeopardizing the health and safety of Club members.”
- As reported by Rick Dhaliwal on Monday, Hamonic may decide to opt out of this coming NHL season or even retire and that all options are on the table as the defenseman tries to figure out what to do about this coming season.
- As per the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, GM Pierre Dorion has been in daily contact with Tkachuk’s agents Craig Oster and Don Meehan. The long-term deal tabled might not be the issue between the two sides (a rumored eight-year, $64 million contract) but the bonus money that comes with the deal. In other words, it’s the structure of the long-term deal that is holding things up.
