October 3, 2021 /

Edmonton Oilers: Who Will Be Edmonton’s Breakout Player in 2021-22?

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The Cult of Hockey

Edmonton Oilers cut nine more as Bakersfield Condors’ roster takes shape
  • Philip Kemp showed well in his first NHL training camp, earning a couple of pre-season games in the process.
  • Michael Kesselring is another big right-shot NCAA-trained defender who will need lots of development time.
  • Markus Niemelainen is yet a third gigantic rearguard who lines up on the left side… might even be a call-up this season should the Oilers suffer a serious injury bug on the back end.
  • Olivier Rodrigue seems to be locked in as the organization’s #5 goaltender.
  • Adam Cracknell is an old pro who will remain part of the Condors’ strong leadership group.
  • Vincent Desharnais is yet another gigantic young rearguard, in fact the gigantic-ist of them all at am imposing 6’7, 228 pounds.
  • Luke Esposito is a junkyard dog on skates. A blood-and-guts grinder, he’s a bit undersized and doesn’t skate quite well enough to challenge for an NHL job.
  • James Hamblin signed a two-year minor-league deal a season ago, and performed well un his pro debut. He got two preseason games with the Oilers, scoring a breakaway goal in his debut.
  • Brad Malone is entering his fifth year in the Oilers organization, where he saw action as an in-season recall on occasion… He’s expected to resume his role as captain of the Condors.
  • No real surprises on the list, of whom all nine players were inevitably destined for the Condors all along. In fact, all nine played for the AHL’s Pacific Division champs last season. Five of them are on minor league contracts.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’m a little surprised that Niemelainen got sent down this early. I suppose the team wants to give Philip Broberg some more time and fair enough too as the young Swede’s looked better with each game. 

I need to see more of Hamblin because I’m unsure as to why the team would want to give him an NHL deal. As I said though, my viewings can be counted on a one-handed pirate with three fingers. I’ll have to send some feelers out to my sources out West and see what the word is on this young man. 

For what it’s worth, if you’re interested in keeping an eye on Edmonton’s kids in Bakersfield (the team will be quite good again this year), the AHL package is very reasonable and I highly recommend subscribing to it. My math could be off a bit, but it comes to something like $5/month or so, CHEAP! 

Edmonton Sun

Edmonton Oilers depth players waging fierce battle for jobs
  • Colton Sceviour is making the most of his professional tryout opportunity and Brendan Perlini has been turning heads from the start, creating a nice little competition with some of the existing talent.
  • Tippett is taking a hard look at the depth battle, taking the whip to all of the guys on the bubble. Sceviour played all five games of the pre-season so far and Benson played the first four before a groin issue sat him out Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. Shore and Perlini also played four of the first five.
  • While scoring goals isn’t going to be a fourth liner’s bread and butter, it’s necessary gravy on a good team.
  • Perlini’s four goals in the pre-season (and an assist on Shore’s goal Saturday night) could be what tip the scales in his favour.

“We need more than just a few guys scoring, we need to have a little more of a balanced attack,” said Tippett. “We’re not looking for 30 or 40, we’re looking for 10 or 12. If we get that, we’ll see that balance come around.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Can you believe the heater Perlini is on? Good Lord, the guy contributed to another goal last night! 

Now, am I alone in that I never see Perlini until he scores? He’s like a silent assassin! Although, that being said, I have noticed him setting up shop at the blue line in the offensive zone as a one-time option and I’m wondering if that is a play-by-design or if he’s doing that on his own?

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug said something interesting last week that stood out for me. He noted that where club is in its progression, there’s no room for young players who need time. If they’re not ready, they won’t be playing in Edmonton this year and to me, he was talking specifically about Tyler Benson… 

Benson hasn’t been cut and put on waivers yet, but the regular season is quickly approaching and with every passing day, I wonder if he’s not traded before the season starts?

The Athletic

From Alexis Lafrenière to Filip Zadina, predicting one breakout star for all 32 NHL teams
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CategoriesArmchair GM Beer League Hero Edmonton Oilers NHL Rumors

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Beer League Hero Written by:

I'm the Beer League Hero! I am from Camrose, Alberta but I make my home in Taipei City, Taiwan. I've been through the ups and downs and the highs and the Lowes, the Bonsignores and the McDavids, the Sathers and the Eakins but I'll never leave my Oilers, no matter what! They're with me until the end and then some. GO OILERS GO!