Oilers juggle lines in preparation for upcoming season; Face rival Jets tonight

The Edmonton Oilers enter their Friday night game facing off against their Western Canadian rival, the Winnipeg Jets with a lot of pending roster decisions.

As many have started placing depth players on waivers to trim their training camp rosters, the Oilers have still only made two cuts to send their players back to their junior clubs. This is a sign that the team is seriously considering many different line combinations and roster configurations.

There have been plenty of players who have impressed in camp so far as their depth looks better than it has in a long time. This has forced the Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff to juggle their lines and try out different combinations to help them better decide for opening night.

Another wrench being thrown in is the questions surrounding top line winger Zach Hyman who is expected to miss the beginning of the season with injury. Also, Oilers winger Vasily Podkolzin is on leave and gone back home to Russia after the untimely passing of his Father, Alexander. This news broke the day after the 24 year old signed a three-year contract extension.

Where to watch the game tonight

The game will be played at the Oilers home arena, Rogers Place at 7:00 PM Mountain Standard time (MST). The game will be broadcast on TSN3 for TV but will be streamed on OilersPlus and on radio on CHED880, 680 CJOB, and Power 97.

Line combinations

Oilers analyst Bob Stauffer revealed the Oilers lines from their morning skate:

The Winnipeg Jets themselves revealed their projected lineup on X

Players to watch

Matt Savoie

The 21 year old winger Matt Savoie will feature on the team's top line against the Jets. This will be a good test to see how he performs over the course of an entire game and will be a good indicator to see his chemistry alongside Adam Henrique and Andrew Mangiapane.

He is expected to be fighting for a top-nine spot and if the Oilers plan to roll out Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the top line to start the year, it will be good to establish chemistry with their other players.

David Tomasek

The Oilers big free agent acquisition from Europe, David Tomasek is battling for the team's third line centre position. He will occupy a top-six centre spot once again in exhibition action, which is both a good sign and will provide a good indication of where he is at.

He has impressed so far and tonight he will have eyes on him as he battles for a spot in the Oilers opening night lineup.

Quinn Hutson

The Oilers NCAA standout free agent signing has been impressive so far through the preseason and at the Oilers training and rookie camps. He is a dark horse candidate to make the team out of camp, especially with Hyman reported to be out with injury.

Even if he does not make the team to start the year, he is standing out as a legitimate option to be high on the call-up list for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Oilers fourth line

The entire Oilers fourth line generates a lot of intrigue having three prospects occupying that line. Both Viljami Marjala and Roby Jarventie play a more skilled game with Josh Samanski playing a slightly more gritty style. This is a good mixture with a few exciting prospects in the system and will be a fun line to watch.