Edmonton Oilers: Key battles to watch going into training camp
By Phil Gretzky
Third Line Center Derek Ryan vs Ryan Mcleod
Your classic vet vs. rookie scenario, this will be a battle in training camp to watch. Smart money says Ryan takes the spot at least to start the season, but Mcleod will probably be there by the end of the season at the latest. He showed some promise in a short call-up last season, so let’s see what he does for a full-time encore.
Kyle Turris is the darkhorse candidate for this spot, IMO.
Third Pairing Defence – Slater Koekkoek, Kris Russell, and William Laggeson
Smart money says that Koekkoek is the frontrunner for this position, while Russell and Laggeson will have to make due as the extra guys. Koekkoek was hampered by injuries last season, otherwise, he probably would’ve played more. Russell is the grizzled veteran whose career is winding down. Both he and Koekkoek can play both sides on D, which gives Dave Tippett a lot of different combinations for his third pairing. Of the three, Russell probably provides the most offence but the barometer is set pretty low considering both Lagesson and Koekkoek are both stay-at-home guys right now. At least Russell isn’t making $4 million a season anymore, amirite?
Lagesson has an opportunity to take a spot but would be the third option of the three considering it’s usually not a good idea to play two inexperienced guys together on D. If Bouchard gets injured what’ll probably happen is Koekkoek or Russell will move over to the right side and Lagesson will take their old spot on the port side.
Darkhorse candidates would include the two options for callup depending on performance – Dmitri Samorukov and Philip Broberg. Samorukov will likely be headed for his second full-time season in Bakersfield, while much hyped first-rounder from 2019 Philip Broberg is likely headed for his first North American pro season in Bakersfield.