58 Names

Jim Matheson tells us today there will be 58 players at main training camp this season for the Edmonton Oilers. No non-roster NHL veterans (Betts that’s a mistake?) and a bunch of kids with no chance to make the big club. However, there are some interesting battles coming up and if you’re a pro player bubbling under (like Colin McDonald, in photo) this is a chance to get noticed so that your name is on the list when injuries happen.

Yesterday I listed the players who were involved in 2 or more pre-season games since 2005 and in those seasons it was a strong indicator about what the organization is thinking about for the long winter.

So, just for fun (and since the TC list isn’t up yet) let’s see how close we get to guessing those 58 names Matty was talking about this morning.

1. G Nikolai Khabibulin: Roster spot a lock
2. G Jeff Deslauriers: Strong favorite for backup spot
3. G Devan Dubnyk: Should push JDD hard this fall
4. G Andrew Perugini: Had a strong pro season a year ago
5. G Bryan Pitton: He might be in tough but is signed
6. G Aaron Sorochan: Organization is high on him
7. D Lubomir Visnovsky: Quinn’s new Kaberle
8. D Sheldon Souray: 400 minutes on the powerplay?
9. D Tom Gilbert: He had a beauty season in 2008-09.
10. D Denis Grebeshkov: Turned a corner last season
11. D Steve Staios: Could use softer minutes, better partners
12. D Ladislav Smid: Must continue progress
13. D Jason Strudwick: Roster spot vulnerable
14. D Dean Arsene: Certainly possible he’ll see NHL time
15. D Theo Peckham: Injury news hurts his chances out of TC
16. D Taylor Chorney: Looked good last training camp
17. D Cody Wild: Underrated player based on math
18. D Jake Taylor: Solid AHL veteran
19. D RJ Anderson: College grad
20. D Matt Nickerson: Future Falcon
21. D Johan Motin: How tough is it to jump from SEL to AHL?
22. D Alex Plante: 1st round project turns pro
23. D Jordan Bendfeld: Likely AHL bound, possibly ECHL
24. C Shawn Horcoff: #1 center. dammit.
25. C Sam Gagner: Is this the season he blossoms?
26. C Patrick O’Sullivan: May play anywhere, needs to score
27. C Marc Pouliot: Another golden opportunity
28. C Gilbert Brule: Needs to show a lot this TC, team has options
29. C Rob Schremp: Last Chance Texaco as an Oiler
30. C Ryan O’Marra: Wishes he could see the Last Chance Texaco
31. C Geoff Paukovich: Size and style make him interesting
32. C Milan Kytnar: Has some things
33. C Derek Hulak: Interesting prospect
34. L Dustin Penner: Needs to channel Mahovlich
35. L Andrew Cogliano: 25 goals and he owns the town
36. L Ethan Moreau: Needs to make like Cher and turn back time
37. L JF Jacques: Time to deliver or be trampled underfoot
38. L Ryan Potulny: Massive opportunity this fall
39. L Ryan Stone: Dark horse could stick based on rugged style
40. L Liam Reddox: Patiently waiting for the first rounders to fall away
41. L Steve MacIntyre: In the mix for the big club
42. L Slava Trukhno: For God sakes do something
43. L Bryan Lerg: Now would be a good time to turn on the jets
44. L Kip Brennan: Tough guy
45. L Phil Cornet: There’s some traction with this prospect
46. L Jeff Lee: Has some size and skill
47. L Jordan Skellet: A long shot but some nice things
48. R Ales Hemsky: Oilers need an impact season
49. R Robert Nilsson: Danger Will Robinson!
50. R Fernando Pisani: He needs to stay healthy. No backup.
51. R Zack Stortini: Can he improve?
52. R Chris Minard: A long shot but he has talent
53. R Jordan Eberle: He’s going to play some
54. R Colin McDonald: A long shot but you never know
55. R Miroslav Lazo: A complete wild card
56. R Colton Fretter: AHL veteran
57. R Burke Gallimore: Might want a longer look
58. R Jamies Bates: Hanging around

Did I miss anyone?