The Oilers are rolling out training camp information by sundial, but it does give us a chance to look closely at the young men who represent the future of the team. Please read this.
The cover photo on the main page is the 2015 rookie camp roster for the first game in Penticton that year, and the quote above is from a few years ago looking back at that 2015 rookie crop. These years later, the GP comparison for the 2010 and 2015 draft currently sits:
- 2010 rookie camp 4848
- 2015 rookie camp 3220
I imagine the Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Jeff Petry group will be caught and passed by the McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse combo, but it’ll be fun to track. Here’s a quick look at this year’s rookie roster.
Goalies: Samuel Jonsson, Nathaniel Day, Eemil Vinni, Ryan Cameron
Samuel Jonsson is the gem here, I have him highly rated courtesy two strong seasons in a row. If he delivers well again this season, expect him to push for NHL time. Eemil Vinni and Ryan Cameron will be the new goalers to keep an eye on, Vinni has some draft pedigree and is regarded as a fine athlete.
Defense: Beau Akey, Damien Carfagna, Tomas Cilbulski, Andrew Robinson, Samuel Sjolund, Zach Bookman (invite), Kyle Heger (invite)
Damien Carfagna and Beau Akey are the players to watch here, I have NHL hopes for both. Tomas Cibulski is a Euro signing and Stan Bowman has done well in this area. Kyle Heger is an invite with interesting boxcars.
Forwards: Ike Howard, Josh Samanski, Quinn Hutson, Connor Clattenburg, Viljami Marjala, Owen Michaels, William Nicholl, Rhett Pitlick, David Lewandowski, Rudolfs Berzkalns, Cameron Harvey, Simon Tassy (invite), Weston Cameron (invite), Olli Wahlroos (invite)
Ike Howard should be the standout player at rookie camp, with Josh Samanski, Viljarmi Marjala, Quinn Hutson, Connor Clattenburg and Owen Michaels also showing well. I’m interested in seeing Berzkalns, who appears to be fairly complete save for the offense. I’m hoping he turns into a modern Gilles Tremblay.
Overall, I think Bowman and the Oilers scouting staff (both sides of the pond) have done well with limited draft picks. There’s no McDavid, Draisaitl, Hall or Eberle, but there is a future 20-goal scorer (Howard) and I hold out hope that Hutson can find a way to regular work and 15-goal seasons. If I’m guessing on a third forward to join those two, I’ll go with Josh Samanski. The second best NHL prospect in this camp (for me) is Samuel Jonsson. I also like Damien Carfagna’s future.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guest will be Steve Lansky. We’ll talk about the changes at Sportsnet, the Elks-Stamps game and hockey waking up from a summer slumber. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Why the Edmonton Oilers must add a top-6 forward this season
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7581498/2026/09/11/edmonton-oilers-stats-trade-forwards/
Nuge and Hyman are 50% goal share over the last three years when McDavid and Drai are off the ice (51% expected goals).
Then are also 6-3 goals with a 63% expected goal share in the playoffs over those 3 seasons.
Maybe its not that much of a stretch?
If they were 27-29 years old, I would share your sentiment. Both men are at the age when even the very good hit a wall. We’ll see. Age is not a friend to this Oilers team, a team that hasn’t won yet.
Sure but when play ended, Hyman remained a very strong player and, if one puts Podz on the other side (McDavid/Drai do NOT need Podz), that has the making of a line that should be able to outscore.
Math (who is virtually unbeatable in the long-run) unequivocally supports your view.
RNH is a funny player though. He is smart as a tack, an amazing passer, has a great shot, decent speed, and plays 1st unit PK. Besides size, he is almost the perfect player.
I used to rag on him 5-10 years ago saying he should have much better results than what he shows and thought he was just missing that “je ne sais quoi” that separates the great from the good (see Z. Hyman, L. Draisaitl, & M. Ekholm where the sum = greater than the parts).
Along with McDavid, he may be the next player to benefit from a fiery coach in the short-term and have an amazing 2-way year. He has the talent and his skills haven’t eroded that much even though the results have.
Again, math supports you and it’s prudent not to wish upon a star here, but I do think this is an area to be hopeful
It’s been a pet peeve of mine for a few years, but they haven’t had a detailed system. I believe former greats who are students of the game in what they think. I’ve mentioned Adam Oates an hundred times, he says playing too spread out, or whatever, hurts normal players – only the elites can do it because they can create at will, but not score whenever they want
I’m not expecting huge surges, but am hopeful more players will contribute because they move the puck and take positions with a plan and a goal in mind. That’s what beat us twice
I don’t know if we could find a top 6 forward. I wouldn’t mind if we signed Michael Bunting or someone just to give Babcock some more options.
There will be players who shake loose, and Bowman needs to be ready. He has cap room when the injured players get back, and he has asses. Get it done.Time is now.
Bowman specifically talked about wanting to keep cap space to take advantage of opportunities that arise in-season.
He has also spoken about accruing cap space to be able to be big players at the deadline if warranted and there is a good opportunity. As it stands now, a big acquisition is likely to be a top 6 forwards – I have dreams of Batherson or DeBrincat, both currently on expiring deals.
They need some sandpaper with skill up front in top 6 trade Savoie or Howard for him. Man how good would Pontas be with Connor-Leon the Caps lucked out especially at that Cap hit. A big body opening up the shipping lanes that can bang home a spoon-fed pass.
Some dude named Jake seems to have got the first non-Stauff interview with Babcock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noz4TORNWCk
I’ll listen at the gym tomorrow.
Connor Ingram has announced his retirement from the NHL. He first posted this on his official Instagram account so I couldn’t link it but now TSN is reporting it so I’ve included that link. I am surprised, I thought he would end up landing somewhere.
Goaltender Ingram announces retirement from NHL – TSN
Sail on, Imperial Oil.
Elliotte Friedman:
Via Instagram, Connor Ingram, who played 134 NHL games for Nashville, Arizona, Utah and Edmonton, announces his retirement.
He adds his goal is to go back to school for psychology; use what he learns to help others.
https://x.com/friedgehnic/status/2098561868717596691?s=61
I suspect him contemplating this was more a reason for no contract than the other way around. I have no doubt he could easily have found NHL employment if we wanted.
I heard a clip of Jeff O’Neill on his podcast making fun of Draisaitl. Draisaitl referring to Babcock being a man and talking to them as such.
It seemed like a childish remark from one of the worst analysts in the business. TSN is painful to watch (which is why I rarely do) and O’Neill is front and centre for why.
I saw the Overdrive clip so maybe we saw something diff. In between the inane uninformed nonsense those 3 have (eg. Oil with no structure when they were a top 3 defensive team 2 of last 3 years) they were kinda on to something imo.
Got on a kernel of truth where it is weird how much the top players are ragging on Knobs. They were frustrated by the 2nd final and inability to find answers sure but like move on. Oneil defended KK a bit that okay shelf life was reached but there was real success there.
It’s big talk from Leon too. Babs is known for treating the stars well and the rest of the roster like crap. He knows he won’t get the really tough treatment. And if Babs decides to bench him after a stupid backhand sauce through the middle that gets picked off like he does on occassion, then we’ll see how he reacts.
I doubt Babs would risk losing the favour of the only 3 people in the sport who actually wanted him.
You would be foolish to takeaway the long backhand pass that springs many a player. Bab’s will live with a few errand passes just like he did with Pavel Datsyuk.
I’m not saying remove that play from his game, but at times it’s lazy. I doubt Babs will sit him as I said but if he needed someone to tell him not to make that play when the situation doesn’t need heroics thats an awareness issue not a coaching issue.
I dont have the turnover numbers so couldnt make a true assessment but PD had Selkes. Leon has said he wanted one but I believe he’s only been the 2 way beast in 1 season. Ironically the one he didn’t win the MVP.
Hockey writer voters can be an odd bunch.
I’ve believed Leon’s long backhand passes are the best all-time he makes these long bomb passes so nonchalantly 4-5 times usually on the tape with the odd dud thrown in-between. I hope Mike doesn’t ask him to scale it back too much.
I got what they were saying and I think it was fair the way they discussed it. I also think Leon could have done a better job of getting his point across when he was interviewed, given the fanbase reactions to the recent signing and criticisms this summer of the Babcock hiring.
Leon is hockey player not a Politician.
Ok. He’s also one of the leaders on the team. It’s ok for him to choose his words more carefully when speaking to the fans through the media. .
That’s why they all talk like robots because one miss word and the wolves come out. Maybe they should have ear pieces telling them what to say like our drama teacher had.
Noodles is good but the rest of the regulars on Overdrive, well…….
Noodles was the one who mentioned the Oilers never had any structure…..
O’Neill was a failed player. I take more from successful players
Exactly – O’Neill needed a map to find his own zone. He was pushed out of the league because he couldn’t play a 200 ft game. Him throwing shade on Draisaitl is just hot air.
So Babcock has to have a chip on his shoulder after years of his name being bashed. I would say he’s watched hours upon hours of his current team. I do hope he rolls the lines both Connor and Leon always seem to take a few weeks to get into their groove. A few unexpected players need to surprise maybe Jarry-Levi-Kapanen-Walman-Dach-Frederic-Formenton. Who’s it going to be?
Berezkin didn’t play yesterday so I took a look. He’s hurt, took an akward fall in to the boards a prior game – looked like he caught a rut or something.
Very glad the season is starting earlier this year. Preseason is so painful.
Looking forward to the first few Babcock pressers. This season will be entertaining if nothing else.
I like that every new coach says a bunch of nice things before the season starts and fans are clamouring that this time will be different. I remain skeptical but the pressers should be good.
John Klingberg has retired from pro hockey.
I wonder how often he thinks about the big long term contract he turned down – I believe it was from Dallas and in the $7MM or so range for term.
He probably does think about it often, but he should get by ok on his 50M career earnings
Turned down 56 million over 8 years to instead make ~16.9 million over 4 years and then retire.
I don’t think think it would be so bad if he had wanted out of Dallas for personal reasons, but it’s gotta smart when the only reason he didn’t resign with Dallas is that he wanted even more money than what they were offering. That’s a 40 million dollar miscalculation.
Did he have Pat Maroon agent?
Maroon at least got Stanley Cup rings for his monetary losses.
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I presume the flames will have a strong roster. I know Zane P. is playing and presume they have a bunch of other good prospects I’ve never heard of.
For the Oilers, no matter how good the flames might be, Samanski, Hutson and Howard should be overtly dominant. Samanski and Howard are NHL level players and Hutson is a tweener but an older tweener that should kill this tournament.
I am vey much looking forward to getting eyes on Barzkalns – I watched about 6 of his shifts in a USHL exhibition game last week – his size is noticeable but he didn’t really do anything notable in the shifts I watched.
One thing is certain Clattenberg will be running around looking to drop the gloves. Flames usually like to draft big scary dudes, I just hope Clatt doesn’t lose his head.
First thing is to see if Clattenburg is actually playing – last time I saw him was in a walking boot after hurting himself at development camp.
I would suggest that Clattenburg running around trying to get in a fight would be a negative sign for his career. An indication that perhaps he has not got the message from the org that he needs to develop on the ice. Of course, he need to use his speed and get bangs in and, if something develops, sure, engage but he shouldn’t be overtly looking for it. He should want the puck on his stick and his gloves on his hands.
Clatt doesn’t have anything to prove in the dropping the gloves department. He has something to prove in the playing hockey department.
This is correct!
I say he scores.
He very well might – not if he’s in the penalty box though.
Clattenburg looking to fight would be a sign of a very immature player. The team knows he can fight, they don’t know if he can actually play hockey.
Oh, I’m pretty sure if he skates he’ll fight. It’s in his DNA. There’s no getting around it.
Perhaps and, if he doesn’t change, he’ll cost himself an NHL career.
Exactly correct.
I agree with this but first things first – establishing himself at the AHL level, he hasn’t even played a game at that level yet.
It will be fascinating how they split the 5 non-NHL goalies.
Will one be loaned up like Ungar last year or do they keep 3 in either the AHL or ECHL? If they do loan, will it be the kid, Vinni or someone more experienced at the N. American pro level.
Who pairs with Tomkins to start – Ungar or Jonsson? Do they keep both in the AHL?
I know this will start the conversation of getting rid of Tomkins and I truly understand and acknowledge the argument (and there is validity) but I remain firm that I don’t think the organization plans on doing that at all. Tomkins has value as the vet mentor to help the young goalie(s) and he’s also important for the on-ice success of the team and that IS important – a competitive/winning environment is important for prospect development and Tomkins provide very good AHL tending, a calmness in the chaos of the AHL and a floor.
Ya, sure, maybe an Ungar/Jonssson combo will be great from day 1 but there is real risk there – one has never played at that level and the other a cup of coffee that started off great but was very bad for 4 games at the end.
I doubt they move Tomkins.
There will be injuries, both Ungar and Jonsson will get their AHL games.
Let Tomkins be their AHL goalie coach. Both youngsters deserve to play in the AHL and should see the bulk of the playing time in Bakersfield just one step closer to the NHL.
I know net is a crucial position but I simply would not prioritize ice for players with no chance of making the big club. Not when I have this many contenders for the cage on the farm.
I would say that Jonsson & Ungar have a better chance at an NHL career than Tomkins. As the saying goes if you can’t play coach.
Tomkins being a goalie for the Condors has zero to do with his potential NHL career but the NHL career of all the real prospects.
He has no potential for an NHL career. He missed the bus.
Its prioritizing the development of all their prospect which includes playing in a certain competitive environment which requires stability in certain areas.
I maintain the mindset around goaleur development remains broken / wrongheaded. Give more kids the chance sooner.
I think Kelly Guard is doing a fine job as the Condors’ goalie coach.
There will be lots of reps through the year for Ungar and Jonsson.
Re: Jonsson playing well in the ECHL and needing to prove himself in the AHL.
I would never have the time, but legitimately curious if there is much evidence of goalies playing well in the ECHL but struggling in the AHL. Goalies are funky, develop differently, and react to quality of comp differently compared to skaters.
Tomkins sounds like a future coach.
Along the Hitch-hiker’s Guide theme today, upon review of the official rookie camp roster I was disappointed to see there was no player wearing # 42.
That’s because The Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything already belongs to Kapanen.
Im not in the “win at al costs and use what ever method you need to to achieve your goals ” camp .
I built 4 successful organizations and I never ,not once, had the mantra that I would use what ever method or ignore human decency or ethics to achieve my companies goals ..
You have a choice of how to do business as there are a number of ways to be successful . .The decisions the Oiler ownership and management have made to “win at all costs” is foreign to me and even if they do win the cup, to me it will forever be tainted ,I have been a Oiler fan since day one but …..Im out.
Thanks for sharing, bcoil. I mentioned this on the Lowdown and will briefly mention it now. The decision to move away from something that one is attached to is difficult, and in the grand scheme of things may appear to be not much at all. However, as time marches on the cumulative impact can be enormous over time.
I’m aways concerned when people hammer away at someone who is expressing something real and true to them. It means a lot to me that you felt comfortable sharing this here. Be well, all the best. If you ever care to pop back in, the light will be on and there’s beer in the fridge. 🙂
Thanks Lt ill remember the offer as iI watch from a perch in a tall tree
As he goes ” Quietly into the night”.
Gute Fahrt .
Wow . Wishing him a Bon Voyage gets a thumbs down gets a thumbs down.
Says Jimmy Two Times.
I too would like to live in a fair and just world. And to do that one must be fair and impartial themselves.
I believe in the same things you describe, yet I end up with the opposite view point. I believe Oilers are 100% correct and fair in their decision making and fully support it.
Hopefully you can find enough positives to get back in
Vegas is sitting there smoking a cigar saying “a win’s still a win.”
Do you do any commercial work?
In the exact same camp as you that the “end doesn’t justify the means” as you can be left as a shell of a person/org when you may finally get to your accomplishment.
I’ve honestly hated other moves like Virtanen and Kane more, as well as Babcock.
Not Bowman who looked the other way when player was being abused?
He didn’t.
The upper bosses said we will deal with it and he followed chain of command.
He definitely should have followed up on it but it’s a mistake many would make.
He was the GENERAL MANAGER of the team.
Yes exactly.
Reporting to Team President John McDonough.
“When discussing the situation years later with another team employee, MacIsaac said that McDonough wanted to avoid negative publicity during the playoffs. Bowman recalled McDonough telling the group he would handle the situation, according to the investigation report.” https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/27/sport/nhl-blackhawks-sexual-misconduct-fine-spt
It went up the chain so to speak how these cases should be handled. Bowman and the others (including at the time AGM Kevin Chevaldeyoff) all failed too in not doing enough when nothing happened to Aldrich.
However Bowman wasn’t primarily responsible or causing intentional malice according to the report IMO. He also made amends with the vicitm who gave him an endorsement for the job.
Edit: this is probably not the sort of thing we will find an agreed opinion on this far out. But this is my stance at least
The facts, as found and reported by the independent investiagars were:
1) they were not even aware a sexual assault had taken place but simply “something weird” happened.
2) One of the most powerful men in hockey at the time, Bowman’s boss, told the group he would take care of it.
3) Aldrich was out of the org within 2 weeks.
That is a total copout excuse by Bowman. There are some things where it is impossible to pass accountability away. Ethical integrity required followup. Passing the hot potato and running away is looking the other way.
Exactly.
If he thought it important all he had to do is check with the guy down the hall.
Willful blindness.
Please get informed prior to posting on a subject like this a slandering a man.
The Jenner & Block report is available for anyone to read.
— I gave up Fantasy Football two years ago
— I was really good at using math to outperform my leagues had a top 3% on Yahoo won more than my fair share of money and seasons.
— but I got not no joy out of it and resented how much time I spent to be successful.
— not the same but it’s pretty cathartic to decide to walk away from something that occupied some of your leisure time.
— If McDavid signs with the leafs that’s my “walk away” and I’d throw in how lousy the hiring has been.
— I just don’t cheer or have anything for Bowman and Babs and think they could have done better and picked more likeable humans rather than having to contort myself into “well they have matured and everyone deserves a 2nd chance” Virtanen. Kane this new guy etc (whose going to gel well with the WAGs of oilers in a small community)
— why do we have to be the org that does this. Be better. We used to be classy
— Good luck BCOIL
McTavish, Fuhr and Hunter were among the Boys on the Bus whose extra curricular activities were well known (at least as bad as Formenton.”)
The acquisition of Erik Cole and his quick departure didn’t get any attention but it was similarly odious.
Fair and defendable position and defiantly your right to choose it.
I suspect if one was looking to put together an NHL hockey team with players that had never engaged in sexual activity that many consider immoral, abhorrent or even vile, the pool of available players will have shrunk, largely.
No I am not talking about illegal activity, criminal activity or anything without consent or actual coercion but I suspect, the “have you had group sex” would have a higher rate of positive responses if asked among NHL players than say this community.
Are you suggesting celebrities like groupies Pouzar? Shocking, truly Shocking.
Sir this is a Wendys.