How about some news and notes on the Edmonton Oilers training camp session yesterday?
Today we’ve got some quotes from Louie DeBrusk as he’s been watching camp as well as a few thoughts on Kailer Yamamoto’s promotion.
So let’s get to it!
Happy birthday to #Oilers forward Joakim Nygard! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/XFb4N19ygd
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 8, 2021
Louie’s Thoughts
On Kailer Yamamoto getting a shot on the PP with Edmonton’s big boys:
“That’s certainly something they’ve talked about and experimented with and with Kailer taking another step, why not put him in that spot? He’s an excellent puck retrieval guy and that’s the key for him. He’s so good at pouncing on those loose pucks and getting possession back, he’ doesn’t have to hold on to the puck for very long. I think he’s perfect there.
You’re seeing more and more of that, it doesn’t have to be a giant in front of the net. You can still screen the goaltender, you can still have quick hands, you can still bang in a rebound and make a nice handy play in tight. When that puck goes into a corner behind the net, it’s that extra quickness to get to that puck to keep possession, which is crucial.”
On Tyson Barrie:
“From what he’s saying and what I’m seeing, I think this is an opportunity for him to kind of refocus, regroup, and try and put that best foot forward. He’s been here early, he’s been skating. I like to see that. He’s hung out with Connor, he’s just trying to mesh himself into that fabric and just get as comfortable as possible because I believe the more comfortable he gets, the better he’s going to play. I truly believe that, especially with offensive players.”
On Jesse Puljujarvi:
“He’s a hot-button topic, isn’t he? Any time you bring him up, people want to know and I understand why. He’s a high prospect and you know, there’s a little enigma there, but listen, he’s come in here and he’s putting his best foot forward. He’s come in and he wants to work hard and he wants to re-establish himself and that’s a great attitude to have.
Big goal for him though. I do believe that as a player you want to get off to a good start. I don’t care if it’s an inter-squad game, a scrimmage, a practice, if it’s shooting on goaltenders with Dustin Schwartz; you want to perform, you want to play well, you want build your confidence. I think that’s a big goal for him, but I thought he was okay.
They were a little quiet mid-way through the scrimmage. They didn’t do a whole lot but they also didn’t get exposed, which is very important on that line. I think that as he starts to get more comfortable as well, he’s going to have to find where he fits in, where he feels he can maybe gain some tractions in certain areas and go to work.
He’s a huge frame and that’s what you really understand when you see him in person again. He’s a big individual and I really think as he learns to use that size in a smaller ice surface with stronger guys; I think he’ll understand what he has to do to be effective.
Listen, the expectations are high, but you have to understand this is a young individual which is still learning how to play at this level.”
On a more diversified Oilers attack:
“It looks deeper for a first take from me after practices looking at it and watching where the line combinations are starting to fit in. Dave Tippett has already done a little bit of shuffling kind of putting different players in position. Tyler Benson’s getting a little bit of a sniff on the line. He played a little bit obviously with Khaira and Chiasson.
I thought Chiasson was strong today. He’s been really strong and competitive and I know that’s something that he really wants to bring out and he’s a big frame too. They’re going to need that.
“It’s all part of that 5-on-5, good decisions with the puck, being strong on the puck and winning puck battles. Kahun, to me, today, my first look at him in an Oiler uniform as far as in a game situation, he made some really nice plays today. I think he’s a perfect Dave Tippett player.
I’ve always said that when they brought Dave Tippett in here, I was always amazed watching him throughout the course of his career as a head coach, he always seemed to be able to bring out the best in players and especially guys that had good fundamentals. If they had good fundamentals, good positioning, worked hard; you know that kind of player, he’s perfect for Dave Tippett because he can mould you into the type of player he wants but he also has the belief in them and the players respond to that.”
On Caleb Jones:
“Caleb Jones today, at least three times went head-to-head with McDavid off the rush, quickly got himself into position and was able to be there to not get burned. I think that’s a huge step for him and I know Jim Playfair’s always spoke very highly of the ability that Caleb has.
I think there’s a confidence level there with Caleb that’s starting to step forward. He’s looked at the roster, he understands this is a big opportunity and it’s a big role to win or lose.
This is a really small sample size but I really liked what I saw from him today.”
On William Lagesson:
“He caught my eye a couple of times, actually. He’s been real physical and there was a really good battle yesterday. At the end of practice, they do the battle drills in real tight quarters 2-on-2 and the reason that happens is because you have to battle a little harder against your own teammates.
Puljujarvi and Chiasson kind of went at it really hard…
Right after that, Alex Chiasson is a really big sturdy steady guy, Lagesson caught him coming around the net with a real solid check. Shoulder-to-shoulder, Chiasson dusted it off, he’s not afraid to get hit, but I was impressed with how Lagesson kind of used that size and mobility to get there, cut that off, and make a real hard hit and that’s the game he’s going to have to play.
He’s going to have to play a very physical and solid game.”
So as Louie said earlier, Kailer Yamamoto spent some time on the first PP unit yesterday. I don’t think there’s much to read into that mind you. Chiasson was on the other squad and James Neal is out and those are usually the guys who occupy the net-front area with the man advantage for the Oilers.
I will say this though, if Neal is out for some time and Chiasson gets moved, Edmonton has a couple of really good options for that role in Yamo and Pulju. Personally, I like Pulju in Nuge’s spot on the left-wall, but I’m not sure we’ll see that tactic play out on the first unit.
Yamo’s ability to scramble and get on top of pucks very quickly could be the best on the club. Plus, he’s fearless and really loves to get in the much. So in front of the net might be a perfect spot for him. I don’t know this for sure, so it’s a bit of a guestimate on my part and maybe someone can let me know, but I wonder if Yamo is one of the better shot-tippers on the team? Because that would be a fine reason to have him in front of the goalie too, right? I mean, he’s way too short to be a screen, so why not a re-direction specialist with Tyson Barrie, Ethan Bear, or Evan Bouchard bombing from the blue?
As you watch these highlights from yesterday’s scrimmage, notice how the players celebrate when a goal is scored. You’ll get five chances but one will be very different from the others. Let me know, in the comments below, if you find it!
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
