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Edmonton Oilers: Chris Kelly Making Run for Spot

By Sammi Silber

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 15: Chris Kelly of the Ottawa Senators looks on during warmups prior to a game against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 15, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 15: Chris Kelly of the Ottawa Senators looks on during warmups prior to a game against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 15, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Prior to the start of the Edmonton Oilers training camp, the Edmotnon Oilers decided to give Chris Kelly a professional tryout.

The team seemed to lack depth on the right side, and with another centre and forward entering the organization, they could assess their depth and move around more of their centres to the wing. And so far, Kelly has proven his worth as he is closing in on a roster spot.

Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers /

Edmonton Oilers

The 36-year-old has played in five preseason games so far, and has three assists and is a plus-4. Considering where he has slotted in so far, the Oilers may call upon him to take on a role with the team. However, the only question surrounds where he would fit.

Looking at his numbers, the 6-foot, 190-pound forward plays a defensive-minded game and doesn’t seem to put too much stock into scoring. However, he has hit the 20-goal mark once in his career and usually racks up an average of around 30 points a year.

In 82 games with the Senators last season, he had just five goals and 12 points but had 71 hits and 48 blocks. Throughout his career, Kelly has shown great physicality and two-way ability, which makes him a stronger overall asset. He is able to play a strong game in his own zone and can come up and put in work when it comes to winning battles and creating some chances.

Considering Edmonton has full centre depth this year, it is unclear where he will slot in. Though it is possible he could play on the wing, the Oilers already have younger prospects in Jujhar Khaira, Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto and Iiro Pakarinen, who are all fighting for their time at the NHL level. Plus, Anton Slepyshev is nearing a return.

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Still, considering Kelly’s performance, he is still with the team near the regular season, so he could very well crack the opening night roster.

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