As mentioned many times before, the Edmonton Oilers look a lot different than they did last season.
Bringing in new faces out of free agency, and some new depth added off the trade market makes the 2021-22 Oilers look like a very promising team. The preseason proved no different, as every new face, and young gun looking to crack a roster spot was playing like their lives depended on it.
Colton Sceviour coming in on a PTO and looking like a certified bottom six player, Brendan Perlini coming in as an underdog but proving all the doubters wrong, as well as guys like Benson, McLeod, and Bouchard looking to push the older guys out of their spots.
Here is my opening night lineup prediction:
Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Foegele-Ryan-Kassian
Perlini-McLeod-Turris
Nurse-Barrie
Keith-Ceci
Koekkoek-Bouchard
K. Russell
Smith
Koskinen
The top 6 has impressed me. Hyman is connecting with McDavid and Puljuarvi, and they’re looking like they could be one of the most offensive, and dangerous lines in the entire league. Yamamoto, Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl are all playing extremely well, and together they feed off of each other, which only helps.
Foegele, Ryan, and Kassian is a line that has played together during the preseason, and they’ve all looked good. Foegele and Ryan are incredible 2-way hockey players, I truly believe they can boost Kassian into an offensive juggernaut like we saw in the Oilers last playoff run before the tragic loss to the Ducks. Kassian was one of, if not the most energizing player throughout the entire first and second round that year, and with two solid linemates, he could find his rhythm again.
Brendan Perlini has earned himself an NHL roster spot. A lot of people including myself doubted the signing when it first happened, and guys who follow, or look at advanced stats had themselves a fun time ripping Holland apart. But Perlini has done nothing but impress, scoring goals, playing well defensively, and constantly winning every small battle there is, he could even be the guy moving up a line if someone isn’t performing.
Kyle Turris came out of nowhere and had himself a pretty good camp, after most Oilers fans shoved him under the rug and assumed he was going to sit in Bakersfield and walk after this season but, it’s been the complete opposite. Turris did really well in all of the strength training and supposedly finished top 3 in everything. The games showed no different, as he came ready to work, and is proving he deserves another shot, and I believe he has earned it.
Ryan McLeod only continues to get better, and if preseason is anything to look forward too, Oilers fans are in for a treat. The work ethic this young man has, even if he’s not the go to offensive option is ridiculous. Constantly winning puck battles, finishing checks and creating opportunities while also playing well in his own zone.
Up front, I see the Oilers sending down Tyler Benson to start the year. He definitely has improved, but with the competition this team has in the bottom 6, it’s hard to put him above anyone in the lineup. Devin Shore and Colton Sceviour are the two guys the Oilers will have to choose between for a 13th forward. They’ve both played extremely well and have earned at least that spot on the 5th line, but the Oilers may let Sceviour walk from his PTO, or sign him to a minimum 2 way deal if he really wants to play in the organization.
On defense, Bouchard is officially NHL ready and has proved it. Koekkoek and Bouch have been taking reps as partners, and look insanely good together, they’ve both earned their spot in the lineup. I believe the Oilers keep Russell around as a 7th D option and send Lagesson down to the minors.
The goalies are set in stone, if one gets injured then Skinner replaces him. Konovalov looks like he’s a year or two away and maybe the guy the Oilers turn to once Smith retires. Koskinen has looked solid in every game he’s played, so there’s some real promise and optimism for a bounce-back season.
Last thing to mention, Cody Ceci underwhelmed. I believe he will start alongside Keith to start out the year, but I don’t think it will take long for Bouchard to steal that spot from him if he continues to look how he has in the preseason games.
Time will tell, but overall the Oilers look incredibly promising.