For season after season, the Edmonton Oilers have come into camp with a relatively pre-determined open night roster.

Certainly, there has been that one position battle almost every year, but for the most part, draft position, veteran status and/or contract situation have kept these battles to a minimum. This year, that narrative has been turned on its head. Some of this relates to those factors mentioned above not being as prolific this year, but a more important reason is that this team has some very good young players pushing for jobs. Many of those competing for these roles took to the ice last night against the Seattle Kraken, and each of them did nothing to hurt themselves. When the coaches get to the video room today, they will likely see confirmation of how hard their jobs are going to be over the next week.

For Oilers fans and the team, that should be music to the ears. Let’s take a look at the tape.

Man, do I like this player. Acquired for a fourth-round pick, Podkolzin has done nothing but cement a role in the bottom six of the Oilers this season. Podkolzin has seen time at 5v5 with a host of linemates and has delivered quality shifts almost every time. He’s a big, strong player who skates very well.

While I don’t think he will score very much in the NHL, he certainly has some understanding of what to do. Last night, he scored a quality goal on the penalty kill on a play that was the hockey equivalent to the pick and roll in basketball. Let’s watch the play.

It starts with a very smart defensive play by Derek Ryan that creates a 2v2. Notice Podkolzin as he and Ryan enter the zone. Watch how he sets a great pick on the two defensemen allowing Ryan to step across the middle. Podkolzin then rolls off into an open spot and makes himself available for a great tap-in goal.

While any bit of offence from Podkolzin this season would be welcome, his defensive game will keep him in the line-up. Watch this subtle little play with Sam O’Reilly in the defensive zone.

Podkolzin starts by making a strong physical finish along the wall. O’Reilly sees that and steps out to defend the point shot. Now watch Podkolzin see that O’Reilly has vacated his middle-low position and rotate down seamlessly to take away a chance.

This is such a high-quality play by Podkolzin, and it is one the coaches will love to see. It is also the type of play that will keep him in Edmonton.

There was a lot of enthusiasm for Philp’s game last night. Obviously, the goal he scored last night had a lot to do with it, and it should. This was such a quality play and the very definition of a “centre position” goal. It starts down at his own goal line as the last forward. Look at the beautiful lane he gives Mattias Ekholm for a pass. When the puck finally leaves the zone, Philp uses his newfound speed to drive the net. He then makes a fantastic finish.

Again, though, Philp’s path to the NHL is his defence. Watch this play that started in his offensive zone. He makes a great read when he sees two linemates below the goal line. He immediately jumps up top into a great F3 position. This allows him to get into a great defensive posture when the Oilers defenceman fails to win the pinch. Philp takes his man all the way to the net and blunts the attack.

It was also notable that Philp was out with Derek Ryan and Vasily Podkolzin in the last minute of the game. It was Philp who took the face-off. He wins it in a battle, gets a little excited in chasing the puck out to the blue line when he should have stayed back and marked the slot. However, it worked out this time. Philp then makes another quality defensive play on the last attack of the game taking the middle lane attacker and smothering him.

The only thing that can keep Noah Philp off this Oiler roster is the plethora of the bottom six veterans who have signed and the fact that Philp is waiver exempt. Hard decisions are coming and Noah Philp is the reason.

Lavoie suffered a minor injury that caused him to miss a chance to play in Winnipeg. For a player trying to crack the roster, that can mean everything, so it was nice for Lavoie to jump back into the lineup on Saturday night. More importantly, seeing him be impactful in the game was great.

His goal is something that I think will give the coaches pause. Unlike some of the other bottom six players, Lavoie can create his own offence. His goal is typical of the things Lavoie can do with the puck. He is a big, strong player who has the ability to handle the puck in a phone booth. His release remains of NHL quality, as he showed it last night.

Lavoie has also worked hard on his defensive game. Here is a great clip of Lavoie’s work. He maintains a nice F3 position high in the zone. When he sees the Oilers defenceman pinch, he works back into a good position defensively. He then makes a fine play along the defensive wall giving the Oilers defence a chance to escape.

Unfortunately, Lavoie still makes some plays that could lead to him not making the team. Watch this clip in the offensive zone. Lavoie has to get this puck out. Not every play needs to be an offensive attack. Indeed, most plays should be “live to fight another day” type plays.

Lavoie has a habit of starting up the ice before the puck is in a safe spot. This is one of those things that can lead to extended shifts in the defensive zone and more chances against them. This part of the game needs to be cleaner.

Savoie has been good this camp. I think some people have been expecting more offence, but Savoie has not had much chance to play with players more of his skill match. Savoie is not likely a play driver at the NHL level, so his offence will come off working with skill players who have the same hockey sense for offence.

I think it was really notable that Coach Knoblauch put him on the ice for one shift with McDavid and Hyman. This came off a penalty kill situation where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was not available. Savoie is the first guy on the ice on this shift. Now watch this shift in the offensive zone.

The first part that was encouraging was Matthew Savoie’s ability to work on the wall. He keeps his feet moving and his hockey posture is such that he is really quite strong along the wall. Then just enjoy the rest of the shift. Watch his constant motion, searching for open spots. He works very well with elite players, which is not an easy task for most players.

Savoie is likely headed to the AHL early next week. However, I think this shift should be eye-opening for what Savoie could do in the top six of the Edmonton Oilers down the road.

O’Reilly keeps getting the minutes, and that’s a good thing. He’s not looked overwhelmed for the most part, and his understanding of the defensive game has been critical to his development. However, for those suggesting O’Reilly is cracking this line-up, I have bad news: he’s not. O’Reilly needs work on his skating to ensure it can stand up to the rigors of the NHL. His NHL offence also needs work as well. This is all about giving the young man as many reps as possible in as many situations as possible when the downsides are minimal.

Rodrigue was put in a tough spot having to come in for an injured Calvin Pickard. Assuming Pickard is fine, Rodrigue will go back to the AHL and work on his game. He didn’t really give up a weak goal, although this glove hand continues to get attacked. That has to be a source of concern for the Oilers. NHL shooters are vicious when they get a book on a goalie. He needs to sort that out.

Kemp has an outside shot at a 7D role but is very outside. Kemp had a very nice game last night showing what he does very well. He’s a very smart defender. He is strong and physical in his own zone who makes a very good first pass out of the zone. He is also a very strong penalty killer, as his boots are always going to get attacked, but in a 7D role, he shouldn’t be much of a liability. The Oilers’ desire to have Josh Brown for his physical play on the roster likely keeps Kemp off the roster. Even if he were not here, Travis Dermott has shown well. Expect Kemp to head to Bakersfield and continue to refine his craft, likely being the first call-up on defence.

The Oiler are back at it on Monday night. Coach Knoblauch indicated he would be making additional cuts after the game, so the line-up for the game against the Canucks will be quite interesting. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. See you at the rink.