The Edmonton Oilers don’t have a lot room for gamers to compete for roster spots. On defence, Ty Emberson will doubtless play on the second pair alongside Darnell Nurse to begin the season. Subsequently, the one legit competitors is on the third-pair, proper facet with Brett Kulak. With the departures of Vincent Desharnais and Cody Ceci, somebody might want to step up, and there are three potential candidates more likely to fill that position come opening evening.
Travis Dermott
Travis Dermott signed an expert tryout (PTO) with the Oilers earlier than coaching camp. He has 329 NHL video games underneath his belt, together with 50 with the Arizona Coyotes final season. He’s least more likely to make the opening-night roster because the sixth defenceman, even when he outplays the opposite candidates. That is largely as a result of he shoots left. If Dermott makes the staff because the sixth defenceman, he might be pressured to play on his off-side, which is an uncomfortable transition for many gamers. Subsequently, the match isn’t there.
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Nevertheless, if the Oilers signal him, he might be an amazing depth piece for the left facet in case of accidents. The Oilers’ left-side blue line is extremely skinny. Exterior of Mattias Ekholm, Nurse and Kulak, the following man on the depth chart is Ben Gleason. Gleason has solely performed 4 NHL video games in his profession and none for the reason that 2018-2019 season. Including Dermott will present extra expertise and depth to the left facet because the staff’s seventh or eighth defenceman.
Troy Stecher
Troy Stecher inked a two-year extension with the Oilers this offseason. He was acquired from the Coyotes on the commerce deadline however solely appeared in seven video games for his new staff. Stecher is the protected, most acquainted choice, having been with the group since March. He’s a bit under-sized at 5-foot-10, 184 kilos, however he has a knack for successful puck battles and utilizing his quickness to interrupt the puck out. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old journeyman wants to point out extra within the preseason to win a everlasting spot on the roster. There’s a spot accessible – he simply must seize it.
Josh Brown
Josh Brown was signed to a three-year take care of a cap hit of $1 million this summer season. He’s the favorite to win this coveted roster spot, in response to Bob Stauffer. Stauffer talked about this in the course of the Oilers’ radio broadcast on Sunday afternoon towards the Winnipeg Jets. He’s well-connected inside the group, and something he says must be thought of legitimate.
Brown has had a disappointing coaching camp thus far. He had a brutal turnover towards the Calgary Flames that straight led to the Flames’ fifth aim in a 6-1 defeat on Monday evening. He’s additionally a minus-2 in his two video games. Brown is an enormous boy, at 6-foot-5 and 220 kilos. Nevertheless, he doesn’t use his dimension successfully. He has not been robust or robust within the corners and has not been capable of break the puck out effectively. Thus far, there are not any redeeming qualities to his recreation, so it’s shocking that the group gave him a three-year deal. The Oilers are nonetheless in search of a serviceable third-pair, right-shot defenseman as a result of Brown isn’t the man.
The Oilers have an issue. Dermott, Stecher, nor Brown have proven sufficient to warrant a chance on that third pair. They’ve all struggled towards primarily American Hockey League (AHL) competitors, so how will they fare towards NHL expertise? None of those gamers have stepped up to this point in camp, and it’s an enormous drawback.
The best scenario can be to amass a second-pairing defenceman to play alongside Nurse whereas shifting Emberson to the third-pair. Nevertheless, that’s simpler stated than achieved, and it’s unlikely such a participant will floor till nearer to the commerce deadline whereas they accrue cap house from the Evander Kane damage.
For now, the Oilers need to play one among these gamers till they’ll discover a extra everlasting answer. None of them have proven they’ll deal with this place full-time, so don’t be stunned if the Oilers make the most of each Stecher and Brown on this spot till they’ll discover an improve. That is the Oilers’ greatest query mark heading into the common season.
