As the Penticton Young Stars tournament prepares to wind down (one more game for the Oilers, it goes tomorrow afternoon) we can begin to set our sights on main camp. We got some news yesterday on the ‘camp invite’ front with Chris Kelly who has an outside chance of making the roster as a penalty killer/extra forward.

I think it’s reasonable to suggest most of this Oilers roster is set, depending on injuries. If we tried today, based on what we know, how close could we get to the opening night roster? Let’s see if we can guess the opening night 23.

INJURED RESERVE

Andrej Sekera is a certainty to start the year on injured reserve and his possible replacement will generate much of the news and speculation out of camp. There’s also the matter of how much time will be missed, as Sekera was quoted mid-summer saying the injury wasn’t going to cost half the season. One thing we should remind ourselves: His injury takes a long time to recover from and he could be less effective than normal upon return. It’s going to be a big storyline this fall.

Anton Slepyshev is also in the news, an ankle injury causing him trouble. There seems to be a gap in estimated length of time missed, some reports having him out for the month of September while Peter Chiarelli described it as being a much less problematic injury. For our purposes, I’m going to estimate Slepyshev starts the season on the disabled list.

IR: Andrej Sekera, Anton Slepyshev

ROSTER LOCKS, FORWARDS

The skill lines (I’m counting two, we’ll see how it goes) should house four players for sure—Connor McDavid, Leon Drasaitl, Patrick Maroon and Milan Lucic. Two other players—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan Strome—could play 3C if they aren’t deployed on the scoring lines.

The Slepyshev injury, should it prove to be for most of training camp, actually clears up the roster picture nicely. Jesse Puljujarvi is more likely to play in a top 9F role, meaning his chances of making the opening night roster have increased. Drake Caggiula may also benefit, as he’s in the mix for work on a skill line. That’s eight names for the skill lines, with the leftover forwards finding regular work on one of the remaining lines.

Jussi Jokinen should get work in this part of the order, I can see him sliding up and down the roster as needed. It’s also very possible Jokinen spends time with Jesse Puljujarvi in a mentor role, which dovetails nicely with both Finns playing on the third line (possibly with Nuge or Ryan Strome).

One final name (the 10th) for the top 9F: Zack Kassian. He was faster a year ago and was unlucky (seriously, he could have had three or four more goals) with disallowed goals. If Kassian could push towards 12-14 goals and 28-30 points, we might see him play a more substantial role next season.

The fourth line has one lock, Mark Letestu. He plays so much on special teams, a lesser load at 5×5 gives Todd McLellan the option of using the veteran heavily on special teams. That brings our ‘locks’ list to 11.

Connor McDavid
Leon Draisaitl
Patrick Maroon
Milan Lucic
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Ryan Strome
Jesse Puljujarvi
Drake Caggiula
Jussi Jokinen
Zack Kassian
Mark Letestu

FORWARDS 12-14

With Slepyshev projected (in this conversation) to start the year on the IR, it opens up the extra regular job (4L) to several players. Here’s a quick look.

Jujhar Khaira. The Oilers 2012 draft pick is now waiver eligible so has to make the big club or be exposed. I believe he would be plucked off waivers, so he’s on my team.
Iiro Pakarinen. If healthy, Todd McLellan probably finds a way to keep the utility winger. Pakarinen has size, speed and a deceptive shot, can score a little in a support role (eight goals in 94 games nowhere near a skill line).
Chris Kelly. I think he has a chance to make this team, mostly because half the penalty killers from a year ago (Benoit Pouliot, Matt Hendricks, Anton Lander) are long gone.
Ty Rattie. Rattie is going to need to get some help to break camp with the big club, Slepyshev’s injury is a start. If one of the youngsters (specifically Puljujarvi) struggles offensively, Rattie has a chance.
Brad Malone. As is the case with Kelly, Malone has NHL PK experience and that puts him in the mix. He is also a center, so the Lander role might be one he could fill.
Mitch Callahan. He’s a bit of a distant bell, but in Callahan’s case there are offensive and defensive uses. I think he’s more likely a recall.
Joey Laleggia. He can score goals at the AHL level, his offense helped by a move to LW mid-season 2017-18. I don’t know where to put him to be honest, he’s a wild card.
Joe Gambardella. He can play center or wing, forechecks like a demon. My guess is he gets some minor league experience and sees NHL time in the spring or next fall.
Kailer Yamamoto. His biggest asset (offense) is the biggest question mark among the young emerging wingers (Puljujarvi, Slepyshev, Caggiula). I get dm’s and emails telling me I’m crazy, and that’s an absolute certainty. Still, if the coach is casting about desperately searching for offense, this kid brings it in giant bunches. Probably a year away, but nine games wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

ROSTER LOCKS, DEFENSE AND GOAL

This would be a lot easier if Sekera were healthy, but here we go. Edmonton has five absolute locks at this time—Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, Kris Russell, Darnell Nurse and Matt Benning. If healthy, expect to see all of them in the opening night lineup.

I believe Eric Gryba is also a lock, he may play No. 6D for a time but if the Oilers grab another blue Gryba is the obvious 7D on this roster. He’s a rugged player who can defend, brings size as well plus experience. Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan value these player types a great deal. That leaves the No. 6-7D for opening night and there are a few candidates.

Yohann Auvitu. He’s a puck mover and an excellent passer, it’ll come down to what the coaching staff feels is the greatest area of need. We could also see Edmonton carry 8D.
Mark Fayne. He’s an NHL defender but he brings neither speed nor brawn, I think that keeps him in the minors.
Keegan Lowe. He does have that rugged gene (thanks, Dad!) and can defend, although we don’t have a giant resume on him. Absolutely in the mix.
Ryan Stanton. Signed as an NHL option who could also slip through waivers, he’s going to be on the bubble. A strong training camp could help him a great deal.
Dillon Simpson. He gets underrated ten times out of ten but the young man is still pushing. Made his NHL debut last season.

Among goalies, I don’t think there’s a race at all. Cam Talbot is the starter, he’ll play 55-70 games. Laurent Brossoit is the backup, he’ll get 15-25 games. Nick Ellis might get a cup of coffee later in the year.

MY PROJECTED ROSTER

Patrick Maroon—Connor McDavid—Drake Caggiula
Milan Lucic—Leon Draisaitl—Ryan Strome
Jussi Jokinen—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—Jesse Puljujarvi
Jujhar Khaira—Mark Letestu-Zack Kassian
Extra forwards: Chris Kelly, Iiro Pakarinen
Oscar Klefbom—Adam Larsson
Kris Russell—Matt Benning
Darnell Nurse—Eric Gryba
Extra defense: Yohann Auvitu
Cam Talbot (Laurent Brossoit)
Waivers: Ty Rattie, Brad Malone, Mitch Callahan, Joey Laleggia, Mark Fayne, Keegan Lowe, Ryan Stanton, Dillon Simpson
Minors: Joe Gambardella
Junior: Kailer Yamamoto

That’s my list. What’s yours?

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