The Stock Market

5 years ago

As the Oilers close in on the end of the pre-season it’s time to take a look at which forwards have helped their stock and which ones haven’t.

Connor McDavid:

STOCK: UP

Is this even possible? Not only has he used his luscious locks to become Edmonton’s MR. GQ but he’s also producing as well as we all expected. I’m pretty sure McDavid has kept it in cruise control for about 95% of the pre-season and he is still doing whatever he wants out there.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins:

STOCK: No Change

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been solid so far in the pre-season. I don’t think he’s been spectacular but he certainly hasn’t been underwhelming by any stretch of the imagination. I think Nuge is ready to play for real. Nuge don’t give a damn about no damn pre-season.

TY Rattie:

STOCK: UP

Up, up, up and away for Ty Rattie. The former Winterhawk has caught fire and he hasn’t be relying solely on McDavid. If Rattie’s stock continues to rise I wouldn’t be surprised if McLellan eventually decides to move him up to the top power-play unit.

Leon Draisaitl:

STOCK: DOWN

It’s been an underwhelming pre-season for the big German but I wouldn’t be too concerned just yet. I have faith in Draisaitl being able to drive his own but I know some of you disagree with me and you are probably getting all of your “I told you so tweets” ready to roll. He’ll be fine, but with that being said I do have high standards for him and he’s left me wanting more over the past couple of weeks.

Milan Lucic:

STOCK: No Change

The good news is that Milan Lucic does look a little bit better than he did last year but I still haven’t seen enough to actually believe he belongs on the second line. I have no problem with the coaching staff giving a veteran the benefit of the doubt to start the year but I do think he will eventually settle into a third line role with Ryan Strome.

Kailer Yamamoto:

STOCK: UP

I’m still not ready to say that Yamamoto is a lock to be in the opening night line up. He hasn’t taken advantage of an opportunity alongside Draisaitl just yet and I’m wondering if someone else will get a look over the final couple of games. He has had an impressive pre-season though and deserves to be somewhere among the 23 names when the roster gets finalized on Tuesday.

Ryan Strome:

STOCK: No Change

Ryan Strome is giving the Oilers exactly what they have come to expect from him. I do like the way he is handling being a mentor for Jesse Puljujarvi. Strome now serves a purpose, good for him.

Jesse Puljujarvi:

STOCK: UP

Jesse Puljujarvi looks like he is finally figuring out how dominant he can become at the National Hockey League level. Puljujarvi has had more than a handful of wow moments so far in the pre-season and we all need to remember that he is still just barely scratching the surface. I’d expect him to be on the second line by mid-November.

Tobias Rieder:

STOCK: No Change

Rieder needed something positive to happen and it did in the form of a shorthanded goal against the Coyotes. Depending on what happens with Kailer Yamamoto we could see Rieder settle in exactly where he belongs on the third line.

Jujhar Khaira:

STOCK: No Change

I’m not sure Khaira has received all of the opportunity he deserves so far in the pre-season. He’s shown some good jump on the PK but at the same time has been moved off the third line for a couple of games. At this point, it looks like Khaira and Caggiula could end up fighting for a spot on the 4^th line. I like big Jujhar to win that battle.

Drake Caggiula:

STOCK: Down

Drake Caggiula is playing his way out of the opening night line up. Caggiula has yet to make an impression for me in the pre-season and he’s running out of time. I’ve completely removed him from top nine conversations. How do you say press box in Swedish?

Kyle Brodziak:

STOCK: No Change

Brodziak will be valuable to the Oilers as long as he wins face-offs and otherwise goes unnoticed.

Zack Kassian:

STOCK: No Change

Kassian is a fourth line penalty killer on this club, nothing more, nothing less. That’s just fine. You’d like him to be paid a little bit less.

Pontus Aberg:

STOCK: Down

What little value Aberg stock may have had has pretty much dwindled away at this point. He did make some plays against the Coyotes but it may end up proving to be too little too late.

Alex Chiasson:

STOCK: Up

Chiasson’s stock is up simply because I think there is a pretty good chance he’s earned himself a contract. The big forward looks like he’s learned how to play a bottom six role but there is a little bit of offensive upside that could come in handy when injuries strike. Chiasson>Caggiula>Aberg

Slightly Too Early Projected Opening Night Lineup

Nuge – McDavid – Rattie
Lucic – Draisaitl – Yamamoto
Rieder – Strome – Puljujarvi
Khaira – Brodziak – Kassian

Chiasson, Caggiula

I’m not a big stock market guy but I’d suggest buying low on Draisaitl stock right now and completely bailing on any Caggiula stock you may still have in your imaginary Oilers portfolio.

What Say You?