OILERS AT KRAKEN, GAME TWO PRESEASON 2022-23

Edmonton Oilers won the team’s first pre-season game at home versus the Winnipeg Jets by a 4-0 score. The game was closer than the totals that will land in the official guide and record book, but there was plenty to like for the home fans. The team played a structured game, and goaltender Stuart Skinner (and then Calvin Pickard) made quality stops. Dylan Holloway scored a goal and looked dangerous all night, and the NHL players in the game showed why they belong. We’re on to Seattle.

THE ATHLETIC!

• New Lowetide: If Ryan McLeod lands on the Connor McDavid line, how much of an offensive boost would it be?
• New DNB: Oilers notes: Dylan Holloway impresses vs. Jets
• New DNB: How Edmonton Oilers’ salary cap and training camp impacts roster decisions
• Lowetide: 5 obscure Edmonton Oilers prospects pushing for an NHL look
• DNB: Darnell Nurse’s big-money contract with Oilers isn’t going to change who he is or how he plays
• Lowetide: For the Oilers and analytics, how much progress has been made?
• DNB: Oilers sign Ryan McLeod to 1-year contract extension
• DNB: 10 questions to address in training camp
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ right wing options on skill lines may be shifting
• Lowetide: The truth about Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers
• Lowetide: Why Edmonton Oilers fans should be worried about waivers
• DNB: Jack Campbell is determined to win in Edmonton: ‘I’m ready for this’
• DNB: What I’m hearing on Oilers’ looming roster crunch, Ryan McLeod contract and more
• Lowetide: How will Oilers deploy free-agent addition Ryan Murray?
• Lowetide: Making the early call on Edmonton Oilers’ 2018 draft haul
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ most likely recalls from AHL Bakersfield in 2022-23
• Lowetide: Is the Edmonton Oilers’ 2022-23 lineup balanced?
• Lowetide: Oilers’ opening night roster will be influenced by salary cap, waivers
• Jonathan Willis: The Edmonton Oilers are rapidly approaching their “all-in” moment
• Lowetide: 9 Bold Predictions for the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
• Lowetide: Oilers math shows 41 candidates for 23 (or fewer) jobs. Who could play where?
• Lowetide: Who will the Oilers trade for cap purposes?
• Lowetide: Oilers top-20 prospects, summer 2022

LINES AND PAIRINGS

It was a fun game to watch and I think the trends are good for several hopefuls. I’m always interested to see what the coaches are thinking and we got a couple of fabulous questions answered. Dmitri Samorukov and Markus Niemelainen both saw action with veterans, the only difference being Samorukov played right side and had a lefty partner. Also, Ryan McLeod had two NHL wingers and Dylan Holloway had a couple of players trying to win fourth-line jobs. My takeaway: Only one on the night. The coaches challenged Holloway to make something happen on the second line. He delivered.

• RHD Evan Bouchard. He played well (assist, 24:32, two shots) with the puck, plenty of good passing and a howitzer from the point. He stood up at the blueline and showed calm feet. I expect he’s going to have a monster season.
• LHD Brett Kulak. He played big minutes (20:49) and used his speed to get out of trouble when the team was penned in a couple of times (six HDSC against at five-on-five). Effective on the PK. I think Kulak-Bouchard is going to be the second pairing opening night. Not exactly rocket science, but good to know the coaching staff is thinking this way.
• LHD Ryan Murray. Played just shy of 20 minutes on the night, soid on the PK, but had some moments (five HDSC against at five-on-five) that looked a little on the edge. Impossible to project much into the night beyond he is a veteran and doesn’t panic when there are five HDSC against on his shifts.
• LHD Dmitri Samorukov. He looked a little late on a few dangerous plays, not exactly out of position but not impacting the play, either. He played the least against Dubois’ line, I thought his pairing would be the second one. It’s important not to bury him after one game, I would like to see him with a RH partner.
• LHD Markus Niemelainen. He scored early and seemed energized, good speed and better coverage plus some hits. He faced the Dubois line 4:40 at five on five (1-1 shots, 1-0 goals) and that was two more minutes than Samorukov (top pair: six minutes). His coverage a year ago needed work, so last night was encouraging. Let’s all calm down on him making the team, many miles to go.
• RHD Jason Demers. An assist, four blocked shots, 18:29. I thought he handled the puck and covered well, but his speed might be a concern. I think he has a chance to make the team but it’s going to be both sides of a long play to reach the finish line. Veteran defensemen help improve digestion and sleep patterns.
• Defensive star: Based on expectation, my answer is Niemelainen.
• Defensive disappointment: None. Way too soon to make that kind of call.

• Stuart Skinner. He looked strong to me, good positioning, quick glove, great awareness. He looks confident and ready, moves well. Could it be? A homegrown goaltender! Oh, pish posh! And yet…..
• Calvin Pickard. Less busy but with more high danger (five to Skinner’s three) and he played well. No heartache moments from either goalie. Is that allowed?

• RW Jesse Puljujarvi. He made a nice play along the wall before the first goal, should have been credited with an assist but no dice. He picked up a second one on the Hamblin goal. He continued to forecheck effectively, causing pucks to glance off his sticks and forcing defenders to send less effective area passes. He made a couple of deft passes of his own in the defensive zone for breakouts, but did get caught along the wall a couple of times.
• LW Tyler Benson. He had some jump and played with some edge to my eye. Played almost 15 minutes, no shots (he needs to get to the puck and make things happen), passed well (a couple of dandy passes early) and earned another game. I’d love to see him get five shots on goal in a game. Good ones.
• RW Jake Virtanen. He was involved in a lot of things, had three hits but the biggest hit saw him on the receiving end. I don’t think he stood out in any way, but he had a couple of looks.
• LC Brad Malone. He helped himself. Had an assist, played an aggressive game and went 7-6 on the dot. Seven hits, some in your face time, three shots. If there’s a race for the No. 4 center job, he’s in that race.
• LW Warren Foegele. He had an assist, a couple of giveaways and skated miles. I don’t think his job is in danger for hockey reasons, the cap is the issue. My dream is a Foegele-Nuge-Puljujarvi No. 3 line this season.
• RC Noah Philp. He had an assist and played well, but didn’t play much. I wanted to see him in more of a feature role in these early games, but 10:45 with two rookie wingers isn’t exactly ideal. Maybe the coach was testing ala Holloway. Won seven of nine on the dot, he needs a bigger challenge. He can turn over pucks.
• LW Reid Schaefer. He wasn’t noticed much early (the entire line was a scotch mist for the first while) but came on later and showed some things. He had one promising sortie (no shots) and a couple of giveaways.
• RW Xavier Bourgault. Not as dynamic against a higher calibre group, he still managed a takeaway and that relentless pursuit of the puck was on full display. One shot and a high danger. I think he’s a recall candidate by mid-season but there’s much to know and the leap from junior to the AHL is a big one.
• LW Dylan Holloway. Scored a goal, could have had two more, six shots, dynamic skating, a threat on most shifts. He’s good. Three takeaways, one HDSC, he was the best Oilers player in the game.
• LC James Hamblin. Scored a goal, another Hamblin special where he anticipated the play and was quicker to the puck than his opponent. Three high danger chances, physical, he’s going to push right to the end. My guess is he is a mid-season recall.
• RW Jake Chiasson. He impressed in just 7:30, including a takeaway, plus he drew a penalty. I imagine he’ll be an early cut but he showed well here and in Penticton.
• LC Ryan McLeod. He’s so impressive. Scored a goal, three shots, one HDSC, his line was matched up for 8:22 against the Dubois line (outshot 4-3 but no goals and zero HDSC). I think he could land on a feature line this season.

TONIGHT’S LINEUP (MAYBE)

This has appeared online and things change, but the roster headed to Seattle might look like this:

• Goalies: Olivier Rodrigue, Ryan Fanti
• Left Defense: Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen, Alex Peters, Yanni Kaldis
• Right Defense: Tyson Barrie, Mike Kesselring, Max Wanner
• Center: Derek Ryan, Devin Shore, Greg McKegg, Noah Philp
• Left Wing: James Hamblin, Tyler Benson, Luke Esposito, Reid Schaefer
• Right Wing: Kailer Yamamoto, Seth Griffith, Jake Virtanen, Filip Engaras, Dino Kambeitz

I’m taking some license here with the forwards, Hamblin could play center and one of the listed pivots elsewhere. It’s a work trip for sure, the only NHL skill forward on the trip is Kailer Yamamoto. I like the group, it will be a strong test and I do think a player who shines in this situation, like Holloway last night (who was at home but not on a feature line to start), will earn extra points from all observers.

LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON

A busy day, 10-2 on TSN1260. Clark Judge from Talk of Fame network at 1020 to talk NFL, Steve Caldwell at 11 to talk Canada win over Qatar and match tomorrow vs Uruguay, Kaitlyn McGrath from Athletic at 1120 for Jays. Darren Dreger from TSN will join us each Monday for a segment, we’ll talk Oilers expectations and cap hits at noon. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!