The Last Men Standing: Final Cuts from Camp
Oct 1, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Mark Arcobello (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
The battle is over. The smoke has cleared and today the Edmonton Oilers made the final cuts to their roster for the 2014-2015 season. These are the last men standing from the list I gave you on a previous post:
At Centre:
Leon Draisaitl. He was going to make the team since draft day and while not blowing anyone’s socks off, he managed to keep his head above water against sub-par competition. This move has the potential to blow up in the team’s faces on an epic scale. I still believe he should go back to Junior and that Yakimov was the better choice (although as I pointed out before, ideally neither should be here this year). For all those saying Leon outplayed Yakimov, consider the wingers Eakins graced them with. It was clear from the start of camp that Draisaitl would get the push. Yakimov consistently played with prospects, ahlers and fourth liners.
Mark Arcobello. He proved himself capable last season and was vanilla at training camp. Eakins said a few days back there was a level of confidence with having him around so I think this was a good decision. His size will be less of a factor now with the addition of 3 bigger bodies on the top nine with Purcell, Draisaitl and Pouliot.
On Defence:
Oscar Klefbom. I’m not sure he outplayed Marincin; in fact I thought he looked like an adventure on most games he played.
Brad Hunt. This is one of 2 players who clearly outplayed their competition and rightfully earned a spot on opening night. I am glad management had the conviction to reward the player ahead of other concerns such as size and contract status.
Darnell Nurse. He gets the 9 game cameo thanks to the injury to Nikita Nikitin. The only way I see him staying beyond that is if Klefbom tanks, and even then I would think Marincin would be brought up before Nurse stays.
The 12th and 13th forwards:
Jesse Joensuu. He is the other player who truly won his spot by getting better as camp went along to the point where even great nights from other players were not enough to outshine him. The biggest concern with him has been consistency, so we’ll wait and see.
Will Acton. ????. This guy missed set ups form Yakimov over and over and the one goal he scored was the result of the hustle by Lander on the last game. As for penalty killing skills that both Eakins and Mac Tavish are praising Acton for in today’s pressers, I think Lander is just as capable. The fact is both Pinizzotto and Pitlick outplayed this guy. The excuse from the team bosses that a 5th center was needed is a ridiculous one because Acton is not a center who can play up and down the lineup. In giving this guy a job the team has now been dispossessed of 2 guys with size, grit, skating ability and in the case of Pitlick great speed, all for a guy who’s best asset at the NHL level is being a warm body should the need arise to have someone lace the skates.
So there they are, the six men plus one who will be at Rexall place along with the rest of the Edmonton Oilers on opening night. I think the team made some good and some bad decisions, but in the end the bad ones are at the deepest end of the roster so the impact should be negligible. The best thing to take out of this camp is that for the first time in forever there is a semblance of depth at various positions. Next year there will be very strong candidates for NHL jobs at center and defense and not just on depth roles but on feature slots as well.
I thought today was the first time I saw Dallas Eakins showing genuine concern for his players. The man was clearly distraught by what both he and MacTavish called an emotional day. If anyone knows about being cut from camp is Dallas, Mr. Journeyman himself. Best wishes to those who failed this time around. Don’t give up on your dreams. Ever. For those who made it, congratulations, this is their chance to prove that they belong.