This was supposed to be a boring training camp for the Edmonton Oilers, one where the biggest questions were about specific line combinations rather than who would or would not make the opening night lineup.
That it hasn’t played out that way is mostly Kailer Yamamoto’s fault.
Yamamoto started the fall with a strong showing as part of the Oilers’ rookie team in Penticton, then followed that up by scoring four goals in his first three pre-season games. That figure leads the club, while Yamamoto’s five points are tied for the overall team lead as well.
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That creates a dilemma for Edmonton. Do they send the 5-foot-8, 153-pound 18 year old back to junior for another year, or see whether his success carries over to the start of the regular season? The CBA allows for a nine-game trial before the first year of Yamamoto’s contract kicks in and given how good he’s looked in the pre-season there’s an argument that he’s earned it.
If he has, though, where does he play? The Oilers had some flexibility on right wing entering camp, but there really isn’t much give there now. Veterans Ryan Strome and Zack Kassian unquestionably have jobs, though neither may start the year in the top-six. With Drake Caggiula (four points in two games) and Jesse Puljujarvi (three points in two games) both playing well has Yamamoto really done enough to force one to the bench or to a different position?
In light of those questions, Edmonton’s lineup for Monday’s game against Carolina is telling. Puljujarvi is slated to start on Connor McDavid’s line. Caggiula will line up next to Draisaitl. Strome is on an all-veteran third unit. Yamamoto draws in on the fourth line, in the slot normally occupied by Kassian.
Starting that way guarantees nothing, of course; Puljujarvi himself got his plum slot after a mid-game promotion in Edmonton’s last outing. But if Yamamoto is going to make the final roster, it looks like he’ll have to force his way uphill to do it. Given the big picture, that’s exactly the right decision.
Up front (21)
Locks (10): Connor McDavid, Patrick Maroon, Leon Draisaitl, Milan Lucic, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan Strome, Jussi Jokinen, Mark Letestu, Zack Kassian, Drake Caggiula
On the bubble (5): Anton Slepyshev, Jesse Puljujarvi, Jujhar Khaira, Iiro Pakarinen, Kailer Yamamoto
The long shots (3): Chris Kelly, Brad Malone, Ty Rattie
The no hopes (3): Patrick Russell, Tyler Benson, Brian Ferlin
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What it means: Of the four forward spots probably in play, three of them appear to be locked down now or close to it.
Khaira has played well in the pre-season and would need to clear waivers to be demoted, that probably would not happen. Pakarinen stands a better chance of clearing, but plays a versatile end-of-roster game and is clearly an option that Todd McLellan likes having available.
Puljujarvi doesn’t need waivers, but the 2016 fourth overall pick split time between the NHL and AHL last season and is expected to make the jump for good this year. So far, the pre-season has reinforced that expectation.
There’s a tough choice in the last slot. Slepyshev entered camp as a favourite, but has not played due to injury and could start the year finding his legs in the AHL due to his waiver exemption. It’s not hard to imagine Yamamoto potentially getting a nine-game tryout while Slepyshev gets some reps in on the farm.
Any of Kelly (a Chiarelli favourite in camp on a tryout deal), Malone or Rattie could be in the mix for that last spot if the Oilers feel Yamamoto’s development is best-served by being sent back to junior immediately. Alternatively, Edmonton could plausibly start with 13 forwards and eight defencemen out of the gate.
On defence (11)
Locks (6): Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, Kris Russell, Matt Benning, Darnell Nurse, Andrej Sekera
On the bubble (2): Eric Gryba, Yohann Auvitu
The long shots (3): Mark Fayne, Ryan Stanton, Dillon Simpson
Sekera’s long-term injury has created an opening on the blueline. Based on the pre-season so far, it’s likely that Benning slides into his top-four slot and Gryba moves into the starting six. That leaves one open pressbox position, with a slight chance of that expanding to two.
The four players in the mix are all older, and it may come down to who the coaching staff sees as being the best complement to the main group.
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Auvitu is a left-shot chaos defenceman, bringing a valuable offensive dimension but lacking in other areas. Fayne is a righty with history playing tough minutes, but lacks speed. Simpson falls in between those extremes, with experience playing both sides of the ice and the ability to do a little bit of everything.
An injury to Stanton, who has 120 games of NHL experience, makes it difficult to know where he slots in relative to the other three.
In goal (3)
Lock (1): Cam Talbot
On the bubble (1): Laurent Brossoit
The long shot (1): Nick Ellis
Entering camp, Edmonton’s depth chart in net was clear. Talbot was the starter, Brossoit the backup, and Ellis the prospect ticketed for a year’s worth of development on the farm team. There’s little reason to think that has changed, particularly since Brossoit would need to clear waivers and Ellis does not.
(Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)