The Edmonton Oilers wrapped up the 2024-25 preseason with a file of three wins and 5 losses, and with it, their pursuit of the Stanley Cup resumes with a championship maybe nearer to their grasp than ever earlier than.
Whereas the preseason is commonly ignored as insignificant and inconsequential, the video games performed by every workforce afford established gamers the chance to shake off the rust and people on the cusp of changing into full-time NHL regulars the possibility to show they’re able to succeeding at hockey’s highest degree. It additionally permits every workforce’s latest additions to develop chemistry with their new teammates and affords each group’s administration workforce the power to survey those that might play surprisingly essential roles because the season performs out and accidents happen.
Associated: Oilers’ Followers Hope Poor Preseason Is Not a Signal of Issues to Come
Whereas the Oilers’ roster stays largely unchanged from final season with the exception of some notable additions, the preseason gave Edmonton’s followers and its administration group a glimpse into the long run play and potential success of their current acquisitions. Whereas some gamers have been extra spectacular than others as most discovered their footing following the offseason, it was the play of two forwards and one defenceman specifically which stood out all through Edmonton’s preseason contests. Up entrance, there was the spectacular play of Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin, whereas on the blue line, the contributions of Ben Gleason merely couldn’t be ignored.
With that being stated, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at every of those three gamers and why their inspiring play in the course of the preseason could possibly be essential to the success of the Oilers this season of their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Viktor Arvidsson
When the Oilers inked Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year deal this previous offseason, they knew precisely the kind of participant they might be including. And thru his 4 preseason contests, he showcased the play which has lengthy made him a productive and tough ahead to play towards. In his 4 video games, he collected 4 assists and had loads of scoring alternatives that got here near bulging the twine. He threw 12 pictures on aim in his time on ice and slot in naturally on the workforce’s energy play. He additionally performed nicely alongside Leon Draisaitl and was persistently harmful and tireless in his pursuit of the puck – instantly seizing the position he was acquired to play.
Since Arvidsson solely performed in 18 video games final season, his well being will undoubtedly be a priority for Oilers followers and the workforce’s administration group. If he can keep wholesome, his tenacity and relentless play will show invaluable to Edmonton of their pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Though they have been solely preseason video games, his preseason play was extraordinarily promising and has positioned him nicely to thrive in his first season with the Oilers.
Ben Gleason
At 26 years previous, undrafted defenceman Ben Gleason and his play have been a pleasing shock for the Oilers. In his first full season with the Bakersfield Condors in 2023-24, he notched 32 factors in 62 common season contests and was constant at each ends of the ice. He carried his spectacular play into the preseason with Edmonton, amassing a aim and three assists throughout his 4 video games performed earlier than being returned to the American Hockey League (AHL). A gentle skater with a heavy shot, he scored ten objectives with the Condors final season and will show to be a authentic possibility for the Oilers this season if accidents hamper their blue line.
Certain, one might argue there are a couple of gamers forward of Gleason on the Oilers’ depth chart, however the reality stays that his play has continued to enhance over the previous few seasons to the purpose the place he ought to contend for NHL taking part in time within the close to future. As a high quality two-way defender who can contribute at each ends of the ice, his play in the course of the preseason proved he can deal with NHL competitors and undoubtedly caught the eye of many throughout the group.
Vasily Podkolzin
Acquired by the Oilers this previous offseason in alternate for a fourth-round draft choose, Vasily Podkolzin didn’t hesitate to showcase the talent and potential which made him the tenth general choice within the 2019 NHL Draft. Though his offensive output of 1 aim and one help throughout his 5 video games performed wasn’t staggering, it was his dogged pursuit of the puck and heavy model of play which caught the eye and garnered the reward of his teammates. Named to the Oilers’ opening evening roster, he’ll probably open the common season on the workforce’s fourth line the place he’ll intention to climb the group ladder in restricted ice time alongside Derek Ryan. If he can become the heavy two-way ahead the Vancouver Canucks envisioned after they drafted him, he could possibly be a wonderful addition to the Oilers’ lineup and one able to offering power and depth-scoring to the workforce’s roster.
Coming into the primary season of his present two-year contract, Podkolzin could have time to seek out his footing with the Oilers. Nonetheless, with loads of inside competitors longing for NHL ice time and the workforce itself decided to assert the Stanley Cup, his leash might show to be a brief one if his preseason play doesn’t carry over to the common season on a constant foundation.
Promising Preseason Play
Whereas the Oilers’ file within the preseason wasn’t overly spectacular, it was the play of many equivalent to these three which ought to encourage confidence in Edmonton’s administration group and their fanbase because the common season begins. If forwards equivalent to Arvidsson and Podkolzin can contribute persistently of their respective roles, they might add appreciable depth, power, and tenacity to a hungry Oilers lineup with unfinished enterprise on its thoughts. Furthermore, if Edmonton can come to depend on the inspiring and more and more spectacular play of depth defencemen equivalent to Gleason, they’ll be well-suited for the lengthy common season and postseason push which lies forward of them.
