5 Key Oilers Prospects In Training Camp
By Noel May
5 Oiler Prospects to keep an eye on in Training Camp.
The Edmonton Oilers left the Young Star Tournament in Penticton British Columbia with a record of 2-0-1. This was a vast improvement on the lackluster result of 0-3-0 from last year. Although the Young Star tournament is not the be all end all for these young players it does allow hockey-starved fans a chance to view the team’s young talent as they head into the main Training Camp. Here are the 5 players that you should pay extra attention to as Training Camp kicks off on September 19th.
- Greg Chase.
Greg Chase may just be the player that allows Head Scout Stu MacGregor to keep his job in the Oilers organization. This 7th round pick turned heads during his 13/14 WHL season with the Calgary Hitmen. The pesky 6 foot center was able to net 35 goals in 70 games played. The Edmonton Oilers were obviously impressed with this young man’s performance at the Young Star tournament as he was signed to an entry-level contract. As with any 7th round pick Chase is a project player and I fully expect him to play another season in the WHL next year with the Hitmen.
- Darnell Nurse
Darnell Nurse is the pride and joy of the Oiler’s defensive prospect pool. He was very emotional last year when he was sent back to his junior team in Sault Ste. Marie. The 6 foot 4 inch defenceman is looking to prove himself in camp this year and seems determined to make the team come October. I believe Nurse would be best suited in the AHL next year; however, because of an agreement with the CHL/NHL he does not have that option. I say the Oilers take a long look at him and give him a few games at the start of the season but opt to send him down to junior again. The good news is that Nurse is slotted to be a member of the 2014 Canadian World Junior team, an experience he did not get last season.
- Vladmir Tkachev
Vladmir Tkachev is not a name I would have expected to put on this list even a few weeks ago, mainly due to the fact I had no idea who he was. This high flying 18 year old was invited to rookie camp as a free agent after putting up 30 points in a short 20 game tenure in the QMJHL for Moncton. Although he comes in at the small fry size of 5 foot 8 inches and 140 pounds he is willing to go in the corners and play physical. Tkachev finished the Young Star tournament with 3 assists and did not look out of place for a player that was passed over in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Oilers have invited him to main camp and I believe they will sign him to an entry-level contract to avoid having him called by another team in the 2015 NHL Draft.
- Mitchell Moroz
I have to say Mitchell Moroz is one of my favorite Edmonton Oilers Prospects. He is an Alberta boy who played for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and was a leader on and off the ice during their Memorial Cup winning season. Moroz found personal success as well gathering 35 goals in 70 regular season games and adding 19 points in the Oil Kings lengthy playoff run. A second round pick in 2012, Moroz is a big winger at 6’ 3” and 214 pounds. The ex-Oil King plays with an extra grit that the Oilers could desperately use. The major knock on Mitchell is his foot-speed, which will be tested this upcoming season where he will get a shot in the AHL with the Oklahoma City Barons.
- Leon Draisaitl
Leon is the going to be a major focal point of the Oilers 2014 TrainingCamp. With the question marks revolving the Edmonton centermen position Leon is looking poised to start for the big club in October. Despite having a cramping injury early in the tournament Leon managed to show off his playmaking skills earning two assists in the final game against the Winnipeg Jets’ rookies. As with most big forwards the concern is his skating ability and from what I saw in the Winnipeg game, he did not seem to be slower than his competition. Draisaitl is a hulking centerman that would bring much needed size and strength down the middle for the Oilers. At 6 foot 3 he could be a perfect fit for the Oilers this season and unless he has a terrible camp he will be in the lineup for opening night.