ROSTER CRUNCH?
By Lowetide
8 years ago
Griffin Reinhart played his best game as an Oiler before the break, but it may be difficult for the Oilers to recall the young defender. Why? Waiver pickup and some interesting names coming off IR.
The Adam Clendening bet is a good one. If the Oilers give him 32 games to show what he has, they either find a solution for their power play or add that need to their summer shopping list. The move also signals the team’s impending divorce from Justin Schultz (or perhaps, if they are undecided on 19 and signing him, gives them more bargaining power).
When the Oilers went to break, they sent out Zack Kassian, Griffin Reinhart and Brad Hunt, so adding Clendening is no problem. Here is the current list:
- Goal (2): Cam Talbot, Anders Nilsson
- Defense (6): Andrej Sekera, Mark Fayne, Darnell Nurse, Justin Schultz, Eric Gryba, Adam Clendening
- Center (3): Leon Draisaitl, Mark Letestu, Anton Lander
- Left Wing (5): Taylor Hall, Benoit Pouliot, Lauri Korpikoski, Luke Gazdic, Rob Klinkhammer
- Right Wing (5): Jordan Eberle, Teddy Purcell, Nail Yakupov, Matt Hendricks, Iiro Pakarinen
That is 21, with a center and a defender required. From what we know, with two roster spots available, Edmonton has interest in adding FOUR names:
- Zack Kassian, performing well before the break and solid in Bakersfield this weekend.
- Griffin Reinhart, strong in his last EDM game and very good this weekend in the AHL.
- Connor McDavid, ready or close to get back in action.
- Brandon Davidson, looks like he is ready.
Math is not my strong point, but 21 plus four does not equal 23. What can the Oilers do?
- Wait to activate McDavid. A risk, because fans have been waiting to see McDavid and the Columbus game is followed by a road trip. Plus, you know, he is pretty good.
- Wait to activate Davidson. Also risky, based on how poorly the defense has been performing. I think they want to push in February, which likely means all hands on deck.
- Wait to recall Griffin Reinhart. That seems reasonable, although GR did play well in his one-game recall.
- Send down Rob Klinkhammer. Since he has already cleared waivers recently, this would seem to be the easiest of these decisions.
- Waive Luke Gazdic. I have read this here and there, but it doesn’t make sense to me. Gazdic is playing the best hockey of his NHL career and is clearly popular on the club. Edmonton values him. 14F is a tough job, suspect Gazdic will be here Tuesday.
- Trade Justin Schultz. Although that may eventually be the move, I am not sure it happens right away. Edmonton may have one or two interested teams, but Schultz value could be greater on deadline day.
The Oilers have to make room for (I believe) McDavid, Davidson and Kassian. That means one transaction, plus Reinhart staying in California. Can you see them from here? This is my guess for Tuesday’s roster:
- Goal (2): Cam Talbot, Anders Nilsson
- Defense (7): Andrej Sekera, Mark Fayne, Brandon Davidson, Darnell Nurse, Justin Schultz, Eric Gryba, Adam Clendening
- Center (4): Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Mark Letestu, Anton Lander
- Left Wing (5): Taylor Hall, Benoit Pouliot, Zack Kassian, Lauri Korpikoski, Luke Gazdic
- Right Wing (5): Teddy Purcell, Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov, Matt Hendricks, Iiro Pakarinen
I would not be surprised to see Justin Schultz traded, however.
Reinhart photo by Mark Williams.
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