There were no big surprises yesterday as the Edmonton Oilers turned on the lights at Rogers Place and began the shortest training camp in team history. The official training camp list offered no surprises, and Stan Bowman droned on like your Grade 8 English teacher, creating a sleepy mood for the opening.
What we can confirm based on yesterday’s events? Mike Babcock will be far more interesting at the podium and this is not yet Mike Babcock’s team. Here’s the list.
CERTAIN OILERS (20)
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Jason Dickinson, Josh Samanski, Zach Hyman, Vasily Podkolzin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Kasperi Kapanen, Mathieu Joseph, Trent Frederic, Colton Dach, Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, Ryan Shea, Connor Murphy, Jake Walman, Ty Emberson, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Tristan Jarry, Devon Levi
The Oilers look set in goal and on defense, but there’s some uncertainty up front. If Mike Babcock runs Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman, I suspect he’ll run Podkolzin-Nuge-Kapanen and then something like Frederic-Dickinson-Joseph and Dach-Samanski-Formenton. There’s enough question marks here for me to fade several of the names we “think” will make the team. There’s zero sense in playing Ike Howard with Jason Dickinson.
UNCERTAIN OILERS (6)
Ike Howard, Alex Formenton, Quinn Hutson, Max Jones, Spencer Stastney, Josh Brown
I suspect the three who make it from this list are Ike Howard, Alex Formention and Spencer Stastney. However, Howard may not have a place on a skill line, Formenton has been out of the NHL since Christ was a kid, and the rights-holder media have mentioned Josh Brown as an option on the NHL defense. We have to allow for the possibility Babcock misreads some of the roster based on reputation and goes with lesser, more famous options.
THE DISTANT BELLS (30)
Owen Michaels, Viljami Marjala, William Nicholl, Connor Clattenburg, Eduards Tralmaks, Matt Savoie (ir), Mattias Janmark (ir), Aku Raty, James Stefan, Brady Stonehouse, Alec Regula, Beau Akey, Riley Stillman, Atro Leppänen, Tomas Cibulka, Frederik Andersen (ir), Matt Tompkins, Samuel Jonsson, Connor Ungar, Nathan Day, Eemil Vinni, Rudolfs Berzkalns, Seth Griffith, Caden Harvey, David Lewandowski, Rhett Pitlick, Simon Tassy, Zach Bookman, Andrew Robinson, Samuel Sjölund.
This is the group we can assign pretty much any day now. From the group, I am most curious about is Owen Michaels. He didn’t do much in the rookie game, but that’s not his jam. He should perform much better in a more structured environment. I wonder how fast Eduards Tralmaks is?
I also want to see some separation between Samuel Jonsson and Connor Ungar. Don’t know if we’ll see it in camp or during the season, but one of those men should be able to rise above and emerge as the goalie of the future. I’m thinking Jonsson, but what the hell do I know? It’s goaltending!
On the Lowdown today, we’ll have Bagged Milk from Daily Faceoff Edmonton to go over the training camp roster and talk about the latest. The news should flow freely starting today, and there are fantastic posters on this blog who update quickly. Check in and see what is going on. I know I do. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and YouTube.
Lazar has signed with Lausanne in Switzerland….
Stauff thinks the lines today are what we see to start the season:
Podz/McDavid/Drai
Howard/Nuge/Hyman
Frederic/Dickinson/Kap
Formenton/Dach/Joseph
He isn’t convinced that the D pairs will be as set out today.
The new guys, Shea and Joseph, seem like great dudes. Loved their interviews.
I think it makes sense for the senior players to mentor the kids. Howard with Nuge and Hyman and Mukamadullin with Ekholm. Time for younger faster to play with McDrai and Bouch
One thing is certain, I’m a fan of Mr. Babcock’s pressers. Will it be great? Will it suck? Possibly – tough to say but it will be interesting.
*tentsfingers.gif*
It *is* the OEG, not the OHG.
Condors have hired former Islanders goalie coach Piero Greco.
There was no announcement on Kelly Guard but Trent Wilhawk mentions personal reasons (and Trent is very good friends with Keith Gretzky).
Babcock on McDavid on the PK:
“We are going to make sure his minutes are reasonable so he can play every night. So, we’re not taking away PP time so if you want him to play on the PK then you are taking away 5 on 5 time and that means the 3rd and 4th lines get to play and we want everyone to play – Connor and I have been talking about that.”
I don’t mind him on the PK with his skating so good he can cut down lanes quickly. Other than the occasional scary shotblock.
It counter-intuitively gives him more space since the PP usually sets up deep in the zone. Any fumble up top or picked off pass and he’s off to the races.
I may be in the minority but I’ve never minded deploying Connor on the PK, but it has to be strategic.
Like, right at the waning moments of the PK while he’s fresh and the PP is getting tired (ideally on the fly). So that would have him 3rd or 4th in the PK pairs rotation.
Yea I’m with Babcock on this one save Connor for 5 on 5 and the powerplay.
I think he was saying, they may give him some PK reps and cut some 5 on 5 minutes allowing others more 5 on 5 minutes.
Savoie-McDavid-Formenton-Joseph. As a top 4 PK group would be by far the fastest PK group in history. I really like that Babcock is allowing D.J to govern the P.K group so aggressively this early. Back in the Eighties on games where the Oilers were sluggish you wouldn’t mind a penalty because of how dynamic our P.K group could be offensively. Teams that score a SH goal win 67% of games and get at least one point in 75% of games overall.
Interesting statline.
Care to cite this source?
Al google.
If Gretz could do it…
“We’ve asked them to learn the details and then find their game within our game. If you know the details and everyone is detailed, everyone can be important. If you aren’t detailed enough, no-one knows where to go and only the best players need to be imporant’
Babcock says not to read too much into line. “I’ve had lots of surprises today” “We aren’t going to judge them on what happening out here today”
“We are going to play 12 forwards and everyone is going to be important”
I tell the helpers in any crew, that they empower the lead techs and make them better, if they can learn how to keep up with the prep throughout the stages of any job.
Babcock:
With Leon and McDavid: “Going to try and start with the two of them together for sure. The third piece on each one of the top three lines, I don’t know that now and I also don’t know health”.
“I’d ike them both to drive a line. I think Nuge can drive a line. What we are going to do is learn about each other. I don’t have any theories yet. I’m going to watch them. They are going to decide who plays with who and how much.”
Mathieu Joseph in his first Oilers media avail “I’m a hard worker. I work my balls off every shift, hopefully I can get a role on the PK.”
Last year at times Oilers were accused of not having enough balls…….so…..this is a good start right
Hyman, Nuge, Drai and Bouchard are the assistant captains.
No surprise including Bouchard who sounds very mature this year and who Stauff has suggested he thinks will take on a bigger leadership role.
Do we think the Shakir has the pole on opening 3RD over Emberson based on today?
Yes. He is bigger. More skilled ( based on reports).
Tomorrow is another day.
Babcock is throwing Bowman a bone on the first day of camp. He has to make Bowman feel relevant. Mikey will progressively sideline him and make him irrelevant soon enough.
He may end up on the sidelines but I 100% disagree with Babcock playing games here.
As it looks from the second group, for now the team looks like this.
Leon-McDavid-Podz
Howard-Nuge-Hyman
Frederic-Dickinson-Kapanen
Formenton-Dach-Joseph
Shea-Bouchard
Walman-Murphy
Ekholm-Mukhamadullin
Jarry
Levi
It should be interesting to see what a difference a day will make.
— I’m giving a PayPal donation as promised as I’m ready to announce the winner. (hint others should give)
— Barring a massive trade between now and start of season: our host LT was winnner of the annual “Off-season What will Oilers do “ contest.
— LT correctly identified the head coach, the correct resigning of the 2 free agents, half the starting G tandem and Coffey gone.
— Kind of like winning the 50/50 at your own stag but I’ve long observed that LT “knows” stuff that sometimes he leaves crumb trails so as not to tip his hand.
Had 35 entries : thanks for participating: here is the list and some results.
1) who is the head coach next year? – more than half Babs, 30% Cassidy
2) what team is Nurse on next year? CapeBreton+ SK Oiler picked SJ
3) what is the opening day goalie tandem?: three-quarter point to Babinator, only one who got Levi and also predicted a trio of starters with Jarry + Bob
4) who is the biggest new acquisition/ free agent signing as measured by AAV?: Shea not on anyone’s Bingo Card… McMann most popular
5) Murphy, Dickinson. Henrique, Roslovic and Kapenen: which ones are re-signed ? 25% got it right
6) Who is the Oilers first draft? Too hard: no one had Rudolfs
7) Is Coffey behind the bench again? 75%/25% no/yes
— Fun to do, as always : LFGOILERS!!!
The zen master, without a doubt.
not a fan of loading up a top line. i just figured if you have top 1 and 2 centers in the game (homer) then the other two lines are forechecking lines. the more lines three and four keep close to 50% gf and wear down the defense the better
It’s a balancing act.
If we see a second line of Howard RNH Hyman, does that look like a championship second line?
Drai McD Podz
Howard RNH Hyman
Kap Dickinson Savoie
Formenton Dach Joseph.
I struggle to see how lines 2-4 score enough. I am sure a few flutters from Babcock’s magic wand and we will be off to the races.
Hard to judge from day one of training camp.
We need time for Howard (and others) to show us who they are.
Fortunately, there is yet much time for them to arrive.
One thing is for sure, not everyone will arrive, and there will be some surprises.
Yeah, I am being facetious. It’s too early. But still, the forward group looks very light on offence, especially when McDrai are loaded up.
I lean toward seeing what the boys can do when they’re given defined roles, consistent ice time, and god forbid, a chance on the PP to get into the game and juice their confidence.
Like OP is wont to point out so often, L2 against DAL carried the team to the finals, so the boys have the potential if utilized correctly.
I don’t spy Savoie with my little eye just yet.
He is injured, you shouldn’t be able to see him.
He could be out of the line-up for a couple of months.
My point exactly.
I agree with you. And the frustrating part is they could easily build two championship level lines with the players they have
Like Leon says, there’s plenty of time to make changes between now and September 29th.
Yup, and I also don’t see Babcock as someone who will stick with something if it’s not working. I have faith he will find something that works.
Hyman and Nuge away from McDavid have been 50% goal share over the last 3 years and have had lots of periods of real success including in the 2025 playoff, in particular against Dallas in the WCF.
I’d prefer Podz to help drive that line but, shit, a high pedigree, hard working/tenacious puck hound sniper on the left wing that banged the door down from the AHL as a rookie pro could mesh well.
I don’t think a 50% goal share is particularly good for a second line of a contending team.
I am sure the RNH / Hyman sample is tiny.
Overall, RNH has never been a big scorer 5v5 when playing centre. He is an excellent complimentary player. Maybe Babcock can get RNH playing 2C at a high level for a sustained period. He has never done it in his career. It’s possible but it does not seem likely. I would be very happy if I am wrong.
Is it good enough if the top line is 63%?
That 50% is in about 360 minutes.
They are also 6-3 goals every the last 3 playoff years in 108 minutes.
Likely not. How do you think lines 3 and 4 will fair?
I don’t mind Frederic/Dickinson/Kap to be honest but I’m worried if they have Dach as the 4C which, in my opinion, is like to make him less effective and probably whoever is on the wings.
If Hyman is still Hyman and Howard is able to translate his skills into the top 6, then yes.
This is true. Howard is the x-factor. And I like him quite a bit. He might be able to juice the second line.
No
From Bob:
Draisaitl-McDavid-Podkolzin
Formenton-Dach-Joseph
Jones-Samanski-Hutson
Tralmaks-Nicholl-Berzkalns
Lewandowski Bookman
Shea-Bouchard
Stastney-Emberson
Stillman-Brown
Carfagna-Robinson
Jarry
Tompkins
I love it. Looking forward to Babcock’s “ideas” manifest in the line combos. First up: Dach at centre.
This places Samanski in the 13-15 Forward hole and likely in the AHL, yes?
I like Dach but as winger rather than centre.
Yeah. I think Samanski is in danger.
IMO it would be a mistake to send Samanski to the AHL, YMMV. I thought he proved himself last season. What do I know though, I’m not an NHL coach lol
I would have Samanski on the roster but I think his waiver status and new coach puts him at risk.
100% a mistake, in particular if they are playing a non-established winger in Dach at center.
Samanski is a center and is an NHL center – he proved that last year including in the playoffs.
Just my opinion but I think he’s overthinking this one and its as easy at playing Samanski 10-12 minutes per night at 4C and 90 seconds on the PK – he’ll be a legit impact player in the playoffs. Shit, put Dach on his left wing, they’ve already had success in that set up.
Same. and i don’t like it.
Samanski can play on the wing also.
Sure he can but he’s a natural center and was effective as a center at the NHL level, barely getting scored against in his first apx 25 games.
Dach last played center in junior…..
I dont get it.
They also have four natural veteran centers (McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge & Dickinson)
5 natural centers as Samanski is one.
Even if they want to play Drai with McDavid, they have the centers to do it – why they look to be fading Samanski and asking a winger, who isn’t established as an NHL player, to play center for the first time since junior, is beyond me right now.
Perhaps Dach is a placeholder for a similarly sized & named RHC….
His brother is no longer an NHL center.
Neither is Colton
Meanwhile, Kirby has taken under 1600 draws in the NHL (36.5% win percentage), but took 50 in this past playoffs and was 52%. Perhaps injuries have impacted his faceoff success….
I am not actually not in favour of a Kirby acquisition, but there is smoke….
Nope, neither is Colton.
Josh Samanski is mind you.
same
I would like to see Shea with Bouchard. It would be great if Ekholm could anchor another pair.
Came to say the same thing.
Pretty sure it was godot who first suggested the pairing as a way to spread the wealth. Bouchard doesn’t need a babysitter as much anymore, makes sense to both manage Ekholm’s minutes and offer a safety net to a youngin’ or someone prone to pinching for offense like Walman.
I do like this as well though, great plan to try out splitting up Ek and Bouch. If that works we could be on to something awesome
Yep.
Shea Bouch
Ek Murphy
Walman Muk/whoever
A little more balance.
The same could be true for McDavid & Draisaitl as a way to spread the wealth.
That depends if Ekholm maintains his level of play.
Ekholm had a legit top pairing season last year:
Played all 82 games
Had 41 points
Was 12th in the NHL for 5 on 5 points for d-men
36% TOI vs. elites
56% goal share and 56% expected goal share
I’m cool with moving him around and fading his minutes a bit but he remained highly effective last season – even as he ages.
Gee I wonder who will be playing center in the second group?
I thought Bookman was a defenceman?
Per Oilers Access:
Perhaps Stuaff propagating that Dach at center back in July/August was real – I don’t like it.
Dach has been a winger at the NHL level and he’s still not established – I would think keeping him at wing sets him up to succeeds better.
Just put Samanski at 4C and roll.
Babcock is going to find out about these players, and Samanski isn’t known to him. It will be a good test for Babcock. Can he find the actual NHL players and their best roles? It’s an interesting question. We’ll find out a bunch when we see Howard’s placement. I suspect Howard-Nuge-Hyman but worry it’ll be something else.
This reminds of Babcock’s training camp at UofL. Same blueprint: have fun with it.
Now is the time for experimentation.
I don’t think the following are experiments but what he plans to use opening night:
Podz/McDavid/Drai
Howard/Nuge/Hyman
Frederic/Dickinson/Kap
Per Jack Michaels, camp opens with Podz/McDavid/Drai together.
Is it the best top line in the league?
McDavid/Drai have had some recent runs of “meh” play together but, yes, I would think any line with McDavid/Drai over the course of time, will be the best line in the world. Should be even better if Babcock can help them figure out their defensive responsibilities when together, and they care about them.
Personally speaking, I’ll be looking more at HOW they play as opposed to WHO plays. My reasoning being that Babs and DJ will have some specific asks, and the guys who can execute will get minutes to earn trust.
The PK, defensive structure, outlets, how the coaches dole out ice time, line matching, if they use a hard minutes line to gain clean air (see also: line matching), if there is a noticeable structural shift in how they defend the crease and passing through the slot, PP schemes (especially as they differ between PP1 and PP2) and personnel deployment, etc.
Over the course of the year all of the certain Oilers, most of the uncertain group, and a few of the distant bells will play. The context of how and why will be the most interesting variable to me.
I agree, this will be the exciting part.
Looking backwards, too often we focused on the who. Did they have enough talent. Some were focused on type of play, strategy, tactics which seemed minimal.
Loved your article on teem speed LT. Oilers looking pretty good.
Savoie is faster than his stats indicate, we know he can skate, hes just not geting there in games just yet. (76th percentile)
Max Jones looks fast yet his stats (57 percentile) say different. Strange, perhaps it was just his last appearance where he turned up the speed. Trent Frederic at 70th percentile sure does not look like it but stats indicate that once again, he could return to form. If he does not return to form, and quickly, he might be the bench warmer despite his heavy contract.
Big camp roster for 13 days (6 skates plus 4 game days with mandated CBC days off.
I think the likes of Barzkalns will get one game before he’s sent back to the USHL.
Lots of these guys will likely get a couple of skates and no games and re-assigned to club teams this weekend, I presume.
CBC is making the rules…..
I think Howard and Formenton are also locked. I mean Bowman did say “he will be on our team” with Formenton and its impossible not to see Howard on this roster given the injuries.
I mean, put Howard and Formenton as 11F and 12F and that leaves Max Jones for 13F and then Hutson/Tralmaks/Marjala/Raty group in behind (and I have Michaels in behind that.
For me, there are really 13F locked (unless one of the tweeners beats out Jones) and 7D locked and 2 goalies locked.
The question is really a tweener for 14F or Stastney as 8D or do they run 22 until some bodies come off IR as the cap space is down to apx $1MM with a 23 player roster.
Of course, all presuming no injuries.
Now this is just my option, but since the defence & goaltending appears to be set, as LT stated and I tend to agree, we might see them go into the season with 14 forwards, since that seems to be where the question marks are. Which would allow Howard, Formention & Jones to remain with the big club at least while Savoie, Anderson and maybe Janmark are out. That’s the nice thing about carrying a 23 man roster, something that hasn’t been seen in quite sometime. That leaves Stastney out leaving him susceptible to waivers or a trade option. But anything is possible.
It’s sure nice in my opinion Holland was always so tight to the cap. In Hollands defence you couldn’t blame him for the stagnant cap but he left no room for giving players a game off when banged up especially on a long road trip. Bowman will call up players from the AHL as the season goes on Hutson-Raty-Tralmak-Clattenburg see some spotted time on the big club 84 games is one long ass schedule.
I don’t think Holland wanted to be right at (or over) the cap but ended up there trying to put the best team together in a flat cap environment.
Bowman didn’t want to be right at the cap the last two year but it was circumstances.
He bit the bullet and made a bit cap clearing more this season that hurts the dressing room and might hurt on-ice, we’ll see.
The group you listed could get some injury call-ups but I don’t think they will have roster spots to just move tweeners up and down, nor will they want to be doing that.
Bowman’s MO is he gives farm boys a few games keep the hunger and I think these players all get a game or two, Hutson possibly more. I do think Bowman is taking a longer planned view than obviously Holland did at the end of his tenure. Both men have won their Cups with different philosophies Holland (veterans) I guess I just like the Bowman style of fresh faces at different intervals of the season you never know if you catch lightning in a bottle. Then again Babcock was Hollands coach and I think Babcocks a pretty loyal coach towards players.
I had mixed up my numbers – there are 13 forward locks with Forementon, Howard and Samanski and, if there are no injuries the question is Max Jones at 14, Spencer Stastney at 8D or carry 22 on the active to accrue a bit more.
I thought Max was on the roster game 1 now with Formenton signing Max is hooped.
Depends if they keep 14F, 8D or 22 skaters total.
Bowman was on with Stauff yesterday (part 1 of 2).
Mentioned that we should see more PP2 – part of it is urgency for PP1 and part of it is getting more players more offensive touches and in the game. Won’t be a ton but it will likely be more.
He also said it’s likely that McDavid and Drai will kill a bit. They do need to manage their minutes and think they will defiantly come down at 5 on 5.
Mentioned they like Bouchard on the PK but, again, need to manage his minutes so, while he will kill, probably won’t be “the feature”.
I hope the Oilers whole roster is defiant this year!!
Hellebuyck suspended for non-reporting.
Tough times in Peg City….
Everywhere?
To be fair, how’s he supposed to fly into town when there’s no airport?
Hopefully his drivers license isn’t suspended too .
Stu will save the day!
Skinner is the perfect goalie for a tank job they should have did it last year as McKenna plus the way-way better return for Hellebuych this summer would have meant a quick turnaround. Winnipeg is in for some serious pain for the next decade.
Landon Dupont can be the heir apparent to Morrissey and they can recoup some incredible assets for him and Hellebuyck.
One of Pue or Maddox Shultz and you’re right back in it.
They’re too good to be that bad though.
Hellebuych value is dropping by the minute should have traded him in the summer. Cheveldayoff has won 4 playoff series in 15 years I don’t know how this man has a job anymore maybe the Mantioba fans are happy with some good regular season results. Just like a few handful of Canuck fans they’ve never known anything but a losing franchise.
With the way Winnipeg has built their team structure all-in on their star goalie ala 10’s Habs, and Stu’s ability to play solid in front of rigid structure I don’t think the dropoff is tank bad. Whether they should tank is another matter.