This is the 2010 Oilers rookie camp roster. From this group of 28 names, I think we can safely count eight (Taylor Hall, Chris VandeVelde, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Tyler Pitlick, Martin Marincin, Brandon Davidson and Jeff Petry) as successful prospects. Hall, Eberle and Petry enjoyed top flight NHL careers. What about this year?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Previewing the Edmonton Oilers’ roster ahead of 2023 training camp
- Lowetide: How will Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft deploy rookie Raphael Lavoie?
- Lowetide: Why Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains key to Stanley Cup pursuit
- Lowetide: 5 Oilers assets that could get moved early or late in 2023-24
- Lowetide: How the Edmonton Oilers can boost their AHL prospect wingers
- Lowetide: Why Oilers still need to find inexpensive, effective depth players
- Lowetide: What to expect from Oilers rookies, led by Raphael Lavoie
- Lowetide: Evander Kane, Connor Brown and the Oilers’ aging skill wingers
- Lowetide: Making the early call on the Edmonton Oilers’ 2019 NHL Draft haul
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers 2023-24 complete reasonable expectations
- Lowetide: What should Oilers fans expect from new scouting director Richard Pracey?
- Lowetide: How will Tyler Wright’s time with the Oilers be remembered?
- Lowetide: Is trading Philip Broberg in the Oilers’ future?
- Lowetide: Unpacking Oilers’ decision to hire Rick Pracey, part ways with Tyler Wright
- Lowetide: 9 bold Edmonton Oilers predictions for 2023-24
- Lowetide: New Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson promises innovation. What will it look like?
- Lowetide: For Oilers in 2023-24, a more aggressive in-season approach is likely
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects, summer 2023
TONIGHT’S LINEUP (LINES ARE MADE UP, PAIRINGS TOO)
- Carter Savoie-Carl Berglund-Xavier Bourgault
- Matvey Petrov-Jayden Grubbe-Tyler Tullio
- Brady Stonehouse-Jake Sloan-Ethan De Jong
- Antonin Verreault-Preston Lounsberry-Ture Linden-Jake Chiasson/Cameron Wright
- Xavier Bernard-Beau Akey
- Josh van Mulligan-Max Wanner
- Nate Misskey-Jake Johnson
- Noah van Vliet-Noah Ganske
- Nathan Day (Zachary Bowen, Joey Rocha)
How many of these men will crash through 150 NHL games? I’ll like Xavier Bourgault, Matvey Petrov, Beau Akey and Max Wanner. You?
What the Oilers need from this group is for a Charlie Huddy to rise from these names. The team needs to find true gems from the depths of the draft. The four names I’ve mentioned, along with Jayden Grubbe, Carter Savoie and Tyler Tullio are more valuable than similar talents in other organizations simply because there are so few legit NHL prospects. Due to that fact, each man mentioned in this paragraph has a better than average chance of 150 NHL games. There’s so little competition. It’s time for hockey ops to haul ass and sign someone like Brady Stonehouse or Jake Sloan from this group.
The big Friday show begins at noon on Sports 1440. We’ll kickstart the weekend with Steve Lansky, Tyler Yaremchuk and Jamie Nye, plus a brand new segment featuring Declan Krueger called “Declanations!” you won’t want to miss. @Lowetide on twitter, drop comments here and text 1.833.401.1440. Friday, bitches!!
The Athletic: Previewing the Edmonton Oilers’ roster ahead of 2023 training camp
https://theathletic.com/4861632/2023/09/15/edmonton-oilers-training-camp-roster-2023/
The Oilers are currently at 43 contracts. One or 2 PTO signings put them up to 45. Signing Sloan & Stonehouse would be worth it. Both would slide, not count against the 50 contracts and turn pro next year.
Big, fast 100+ point WHL scorer attended Dev Camp & played for the Oilers rookies, then had a dominant season and was signed to an NHL contract elsewhere.
This org needs prospects, so hopefully they tap into this opportunity.
3 most impactful players in the game IMO:
1 – Akey
2 – Grubbe
3 – Bourgault
The Oilers rooks were absolutely dominant in every zone.
Regarding the 100+ point WHL player, I was referring to Chase Wheatcroft. He attended the Oilers 2022 Development Camp, but did not stand out other than being big (6’ 2”) and fast.
Consequently he did not impress enough to be invited to Penticton, but he crushed it during his final junior season and Dallas signed him this past spring. He and Bedard were the only WHL players in the Dub in 2022-22.
For what Leon ACTUALLY said.
Friedman mentioned that Eichel said they won because of depth and asked Drai what happened after they were tied 2-2:
“Ya, they are obviously a really deep team – there is no doubt – they can play their fourth line against any team in the league. That’s a big plus of course. What happened though was we didn’t find our top game. I don’t know if they did but it just seemed like the last two games, there were these little mistakes in game 5, couple of penalties that turned that game around. We were in full control and just shoot ourselves in the foot a little bit and that seems to be the case a bit with our team – we find ways to lose games – we need to learn from those mistakes.”
Oilers + feed dropped for a few mins in the later half of the 3rd but some early impressions:
Akey: agree with OP, clear best player on the ice tonight. Skating elite as expected but puck poise and IQ at both ends appear to be strengths as well. Great instinct in jumping up offensively but has the skating to easily recover when it goes back the other way. That’s the dream. Not to mention a sneaky good release for a great PP goal.
(Very) early days but I’ll go ahead and announce vindication for my draft day comment that I am more excited about this player than any non 1st round Oiler pick in recent memory.
Borg: close second to Akey tonight, looked solid on the puck and confident in the O zone. Great anticipation defensively, most noticeable on this PK in this regard.
Day: it was a hard day’s night for Nathan who was largely untested but stood in well when called upon. Oddly enough, perhaps it is his gear or stance but looks eerily similar to Campbell in net until he starts to move where he appeared calm and controlled overall and less reliant on sheer athleticism. Not saying he has NHL potential ala Soupy only a superficial appearance in net. Solid first outing in games notoriously difficult for goalers.
Wanner: appeared rusty with hands and puck movement but tools remain tantalizing. Lost puck late in the 3rd in the dzone but great effort to recover and turn it back over.
Grubbe was as advertised and looked strong and relentless up the middle.
Petrov was really only noticeable on the PP to my eye and was guilty of overpassing early before letting it fly later on.
Savoie showed great gumption in addition to dangerous skill. Also took some hard hits. Stay healthy young man!
Tullio did his thing, constantly involved in all things. I enjoyed his game as always, great blend of skill + effort.
Sloan made hard plays on the body and around the net, being rewarded with 2 goals. I agree with LT, sign the man and Stonehouse while they’re at it, who looked more comfortable as the game wore on and I expect his physicality to show more in the likely 2 remaining games for him.
Of the lesser knowns/undrafted, Jake Johnson acquitted himself well overall and appeared calm with the puck on his stick. I still prefer his work portraying Nick Miller in New Girl or perhaps as Peter B. Parker in Spider-Verse but that’s neither here nor there.
Fun to watch a supposedly less skilled bunch look so dominant over the Jets. Hockey is back!
Akey was the best player on the ice for either team – he must have had 10 shot attempts and what a shot for his goal.
Jayden Grubbe really impressed me – VERY tenacious and relentless – make plays at both ends of the night all night.
Savoie showed some nice jam and a nice pass on Akey’s goal – he’s going to score 20 in Bako if healthy.
Bourgault and Berglund were very good as PK1. Bourgault showed nice skill all night and Berglund looked 10X better than in any of his AHL games last year (I guess this is lower quality play than the AHL though).
Wanner was great on PK1 and solid defensively all night long.
Tulio did his thing all night long – touched the puck alot.
Petrov did not stand out.
I am always interested in these games as they sort of reveal where the oilers are in player pool and development in relation to their “near competitors”. I didn’t watch all the game – drifted in and out between other things – did not see any Jet look “impressive”. Lambert I suppose, Tyrel Bauer was chippy.
I thought the Oilers looked pretty solid. As always though there never seems to be any Oiler prospect that plays with a “F*%k you” attitude. Not just fighting, but make the hit, don’t fly by, don’t be the punching bag in a scrum. Just me, longstanding hatred of the way the Flames (spits) always seemed to be cheap shot artists and dick heads, Oilers play the “Queensbury Rules” style.
Anyone with other thoughts? Observations?
THERE is Stonhouse, I heard about him over the last few months and – he goes give and go with Chiasson on a 3 on 1 – some overpassing and they didn’t cash but some vision/skill by both.
Was watching on Oilers+ – had paused for a bit. Is the game over? I am not getting anything now.
Took OP’s advice and paid for the year on Oilers+.
The feed has had issues in the third period.
Oh, start watching The Drop – I love it.
On Oilers+?
Yes, its fantastic!
1 minute left. Basically Oilers have done everything except score. Jets touched the puck once or twice.
I just got off work. Who has scored for the baby Oilers?
Akey with a PP beauty and Jake Sloan x 2 before that with some nice grease around the net.
Thanks guy! Now I have to google Jake Sloan. haha
Big overager from the dub and LT wants to sign him. Good enough for me!
I’m sure OP will put this more eloquently than I but oh mama what a shot by Akey who made no mistake top shelf on his great chance as the 5 on 3 expired with a quick release off a nice Savoie set up.
Berglund/Bourgault have probably created more good chances on the PK than they’ve given up while shot – they’ve been PK1 all night long.
Petrov rips a lazer from the Ovie spot just high on a 5 on 3 but Oilers regain possession – the pass goes up to Akey from behind the net to the circles and he rips home the 3-1 lead.
Akey has been very very good.
It may have been Savoie with the pass out to Akey, not positive though. I think Petrov gets the other assist.
Yes, it was Savoie with the good pass out to Akey!
Always really enjoy this tournament as the unofficial start to the season.
Most years the Oilers have the most skill but are disorganized and this year they don’t seem much less skilled although Winnipeg has bigger names but their structure is better than most years at this tournament.
Most impressed by Akey, surprised at how smooth he is.
I’ve felt this way the past year or two but not sure if I’ve written it – I think Tullio has the best career out of the young Bako wingers. The other signed wingers have higher ceilings but his game has several dimensions and his offensive might be just as good or better at pro level. He’s touched the puck a lot tonight, as he always seems to when I see him.
Grubbe drawing penalties on the forecheck, wining faceoffs, breaking up plays on the back-check.
Beau Akey, maybe the best looking player on the ice.
Berglund with the pass to Akey driving the lane, pass was behind him and he goes off the skate and between his legs to receive the pass and then sets up a goal mouth scramble.
He sure looks fantastic indeed. Seems to have terrific hockey IQ as evidenced by his anticipation at both ends, along with a smart stick and absent panic with the puck under pressure.
Oilers going into another year where they think they have a chance to win the cup. Yet again Goaltending is a hope and a prayer. Not the formula that increases your chances to win.
The Knights started the playoffs with Laurent Brossoit as their starter and, if he didn’t get hurt, the Oilers might be cup champs.
Aidan Hill was a hope and a prayer 5 months ago.
Aside from the fact i said it was not a good formula, look back at Stanley cup winners. Your probability of winning goes down when your goaltending looks like the Oilers going into a season
When asked today on the Friedman/Marek podcast, Draisaitl was asked why Vegas beat the Oilers, he said without hesitation that it was because the Knights FOURTH line could match up against anyone.
Earlier they asked Jack Eichel the same question…his answer was depth.
Hard to believe the Oilers have done ZERO to address this in the offseason.
Depth for days baby!
Truth be told, Leon said they lost the series because they couldn’t find their top game and made too many mistakes and beat themselves – I just dictated the actual quote, without narratives, actual words, in to a new post.
Yes…Vegas certainly has it.
And don’t be deceived..Leon was very clear in saying that’s why they lost.
What a terrible take
What keeps you coming back?
Now, Tulio and Sloan spend 20 seconds in the offensive zone while on the PK.
Berglund/Bourgault getting PK1 time (and went in on a nice rush) – could see that in Bako as well.
I’ve seen Berglund MUCH better than any game he played in the AHL after signing last year.
Jets struggling all night with the OIlers’ forecheck – awful breakouts due to the pressure.
Oilers depth line creates chaos and a turnover – get it to the net and Sloan bangs in his 2nd of the night. Wright in on the action.
Grubbe is pretty tenacious and relentless out there in puck pursuit and pressuring the opposition.
I’m going to enjoy watching this guy develop in Bako this year.
Akey takes a bad rim from the goalie on the half-boards, whips one towards the net and its tipped in by Sloan for a 1-1 game.
Tough bounce for Day at the end there, Oilers clearly the better team so far. The Borg and Akey clear standouts to me early on
Oilers dominate the first period but give up the 1-0 goal against the flow of play with 20 seconds left.
Wanner not really beat wide but the forward did get enough room to center the puck from the goal line – off the d-man (Benard) and in.
Corski’s have to be like 75% Oilers after one.
Beau Akey is not shy to shoot the puck from anywhere in the offensive zone – at least at the rookie camp level.
I think he had two more shot attempts since I posted that – including showing solid patience to walk in from the point and create a higher danger chance from the top of the circles – took the space that was given to him.
Oilers crash the net with possession after am offensive zone faceoff win and Savoie rings the bar.
Grubbe with a strong rush and wrap-around and then a strong defensive play in the neutral zone.
I see what the “hype” is about….
Funny thought. Kessel is still unsigned and had a 1.5M deal last year. Is he worth a stab at 1m x 1? Possibly as insurance for Brown/Lavoie…? Whaddya think?
The offence isn’t really there anymore and that is all Kessel brings. I think any additions the Oilers make from this point forward should be good two-way guys. Need to aim for top five in goals for and goals against.
Fair enough and thank you! I hadn’t been paying attention to him much in recent seasons, so needed to catch up on his current abilities. If as you say, that’s a hard pass for sure.
Petrov and Savoie each causing turnovers near the Jet blue by closing and taking the body – forcing quick and bad plays.
Yeah was just going to say Savoie looks like he is playing with the proverbial bee in his bonnet early on.
Savoie will double his AHL goal scoring output this year. He skates better than I thought.
Health willing, I wouldnt bet against that.
Akey on PP1, man he is some smooth out there.
Bourgault draws the first PP by getting hooked on a rush through the neutral zone.
Petrov, Berglund, Bourgault, Savoie and Akey as PP1
Took a while to get really set up (Akey with a poor keep that led to an early clear) but some good puck movement among Akey, Bourgault and Petrov – Petrov with a feed from the left boards (and one touch) to the middle that created a bit of danger.
Tulio came on via line change and lugged the puck a bit but never created.
No score.
Savoie Berglund Bourgault
Petrov Grubbe Tullio
Stonehouse Linden Chiasson
Wright Sloan De Jong
Lounsberry
Bernard Wanner
Johnson Akey
Ganske Misskey
Van Mulligan
Just arrived in Penticton where it is 30 degrees. It’s a great day to watch (to quote OP) players in Oilers jerseys play competitive hockey.
Noah Ganske!
I think he’s got some things, there’s a lot more to like than his 6’7” dimensions and being a RHD. This should be really obvious during this tournament.
And yup, he is 24 and he’ll be in Fort Wayne to start, but remember his name and you’ll notice his game.
Preston Lounsberry, does anyone know his father’s name? I knew a Phips Lounsberry back in the day in Toronto.
He is from a small town in NB and his father’s name is Corey.
Thanks
The 32 Thoughts Pod that had the Drai interview with Marek and Friedman dropped this morning.
When asked who looks good at the unofficial skates, Drai expressly mentioned (Broberg) as someone that looks really good – Holloway was the other guy he mentioned by name.
For what it’s worth, if anything.
Leadership.
Ranking the Western Canadian teams’ prospect pools, the top-10 players across all organizations I’d rank and project as follows:
1) Colby Barlow – LW – Winnipeg Jets – projects to be a top-line scorer
2) Samuel Honzek – LW – Calgary Flames – projects to be a top-line scorer
3) Tom Willander – RD – Vancouver Canucks – could be a top-4 D
4) Brad Lambert – C – Winnipeg Jets – middle-6 NHL centre
5) Dustin Wolf – G – Calgary Flames – At worst a good NHL backup
6) Rutger McGroarty – RW – Winnipeg Jets – probably a middle-six winger
7) Aatu Raty – C – Vancouver Canucks – could be a middle-6 NHL centre
8) Xavier Bourgault – RW – Edmonton Oilers – probably a middle-six winger
9) Matthew Coronato – RW – Calgary Flames – probably a middle-six winger
10) Jonathan Lekkerimaki – RW – Vancouver Canucks – probably a middle-six winger
I listed skaters drafted 2020 or later (Wolf is a 2019). Several of the listed players won’t be in Penticton, specifically the European skaters.
My conclusion from this list is that Winnipeg and Calgary have a decent prospect pool, but besides Barlow and maybe Honzek it’s more secondary as opposed to elite talent.
Ie, if you’re not making the journey to Penticton, you are not missing a showcase of future NHL all-stars.
I think Dustin Wolf might have to trim them sideburns or something. He has outstanding numbers everywhere he has played, was the AHL MVP last year and is somehow not talked about as a future star.
Seasoned GM’s and Coaches have a big blind spot when it comes to size at particular positions.
https://www.nfl.com/news/doug-flutie-still-flustered-by-discrimination-against-short-qbs-09000d5d82a58795
I think he was also WHL goalie of the year at least one, maybe twice.
I think that fact that he’s only 6 foot drives the perception about him.
He’s the one prospect that scares me.
At some point the Oilers might have to break him, like they broke Markstrom. There may be an even money chance that the flames eff this up and move him and end up regretting it.
FYI, Rosters are here:
https://canucksarmy.com/news/amp/power-rankings-team-previews-upcoming-young-stars-tournament
1, 2, 4, 7, 8 & 9 are listed as playing in this tournament.
Was looking at the rosters. Pretty crazy how thin the prospect pool is in Vancouver despite missing the playoffs like 7 of the last 8 years.
Vancouvers top prospects are playing in the SHL.
They have a couple overseas. Staggeringly shallow prospect pool for a team that has been in rebuild for the better part of a decade. Future looks bleak. I mean Dallas got 3 all stars from the 2017 draft. Vancouver had a pile of picks in that draft and they only got one player who has one foot out the door.
In astronomy, “declination” is a term that means celestial latitude. Spelled slightly different, presumably pronounced the same.
Top flight careers? Really tough to say as I have no idea what the likes of Beau Akey will develop into.
Petrov could score 40 goals in a season or, well, he could be a tweener.
Wanner could Jeff Petry this thing (OK, maybe that is a bit aggressive) or maybe he’s just a guy that enjoyed a really nice post-draft junior career than settles in as a middling pro as indicated by his draft position?
So many storylines to come for these players over the course of 5-10 years.
Yes, players in Oilers jersey’s will be playing a competitive hockey game tonight which is being streamed. I am looking way too forward to this.
I think there are 14F and 8 d-men in camp. I presume that most of the “real prospects (Petrov, Grubbe, Tulio, Bourgault, Chiasson, Wanner, Akey) will play 2 out of the 3 games – maybe a few will play all three?
I will be traveling tonight instead of streaming. I trust you and others will keep this blog updated.
Dont know if I missed it anywhere but are these Penticton games available to stream anywhere?
Oilers +. It’s $23.99 for the year.
Thanks boss! Forgot Oilers+ existed
Is that after a specific promo code? Im seeing it as 59.99 for the annual pass.
Yes, promo code and other info here:
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/rookie-camp-oilers-prospects-primed-and-ready-to-impress-in-penticton
I didn’t check, but saw it mentioned that there is a 3-day free trial to Oilers+ available too.
Or you can just watch it for free courtesy of the Jets – https://www.youtube.com/@NHLJets/streams
All games will be on the Canucks YouTube channel.
https://youtube.com/@Canucks1970?si=2eCgHefvG23b2_jZ
Free for season ticket holders.
OnHockey.TV currently has an “NHL prospect camps” section listed for those who aren’t interested in Oilers+
I would note for the group that Oilers Plus is fantastic and I would recommend it to any Oilers fan that would be interested in “behind the scenes” content – LOTS of dressing room stuff, video of management conversations during deadline, draft, free agency, etc.