Edmonton Oilers: Three Potential Tryout Options For Training Camp
Magnus Paajarvi
Oilers fans should know this name pretty well. The team drafted the Swedish forward 10th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He spent time with the Oilers, Senators & Blues, playing 467 games and totaling 124 points. He spent last season in the KHL but currently remains a free agent.
Now 30 years old, the once highly-touted prospect is looking for a job, and the Oilers could be just the place. The team needs to add an offensive boost to the bottom 6, and he could fit in to the role of 13th forward, or bottom 6 winger depending on how well his camp went. Putting him on a line with a couple young guys line McLeod & Archibald could put Paajarvi in a spot to succeed with the team.
At 6’3, 206 Pounds, Paajarvi is quite fast for his size. He’s always been quick and has always put up decent depth numbers wherever he played, but he’s never been able to find a home. Edmonton could give him the opportunity to play somewhere he’s already been so that he’s a bit more comfortable.
Paajarvi is another low-risk, high-reward guy that would be an amazing addition to the team if he’s able to show out and prove himself in training camp.
Tyler Ennis
The third option to look at is, former Oiler, Tyler Ennis. After a disappointing season in Edmonton, the Oilers didn’t re-sign the hometown born forward. 9 points in 30 games during the 2020-21 season forced the Oilers to let him test free agency, as he didn’t have a spot anywhere in the lineup going into next season.
With that being said, Ennis has yet to sign elsewhere and is still looking for a job around the league. It’s probably a given that he wants to stay playing for his hometown, but he really needs to prove his worth, and beat out a couple big names, along with playing better then some rookies who are about to make the jump to the big leagues.
Ennis would likely earn a $700k contract for a season, but would only be the 13th forward at best, and would be fighting for a spot night in and night out. If he’s willing to play that role to help the team win then I’m all for it, but I’d rather a guy like Paajarvi come in and take that role. Ennis deserves a spot in the lineup somewhere else in the league, and if the Oilers can’t give it to him, he should be trying to take the same money with another team.