![[original_title]](https://rawnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/a3ecef8d88f6d861960185df245c4bd2-1024x576.jpeg)
The very first Oiler video games of the 2024-25 season went poorly.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Fortunately, these video games have been exhibitions, a part of the Younger Stars Traditional in Penticton. The Oilers rookie staff misplaced all three of their video games over the weekend, falling 2-0 to Vancouver, 3-1 to Calgary, and 2-0 to Winnipeg.
If you lose all of your video games and solely rating one objective, there clearly aren’t going to be numerous positives to glean from the expertise. That is, in spite of everything, one of many weakest farm programs within the league. Nonetheless, we received the chance to see how Oilers prospects match as much as their friends, and who stands out.
Goaltending
The Oilers gave all three of their goalies the prospect to start out in Penticton. All three performed properly, however Nathaniel Day and Brett Brochu have been glorious. Day, drafted within the sixth spherical by the Oilers in 2023, saved 28 of the 30 pictures the Canucks prospects fired on him on Friday. Day has struggled within the OHL, placing up save percentages below .875 in back-to-back seasons.
After Connor Ungar allowed two objectives on 20 pictures towards Calgary on Saturday, Brett Brochu wrapped up the weekend with 32 saves on 34 pictures towards Winnipeg yesterday. The undrafted Brochu signed a contract with the Bakersfield Condors after placing up a .920 save proportion within the ECHL final season.
The 22-year-old Brochu should combat for begins in Bakersfield behind veteran Colin Delia and 24-year-old Olivier Rodrigue, to not point out his Younger Stars teammate Ungar, however he is had good numbers in every single place he is performed to date.
Physicality
We noticed a couple of prospect games get chippy over the weekend, and it was no totally different within the Okanagan. Defenceman Nate Corbet dropped the gloves in all three of his video games, taking up Vancouver’s Joe Arntsen, Calgary’s Lucas Ciona, and Winnipeg’s Mark Liwiski.
He wasn’t the one one, both. 2024 fifth spherical decide Connor Clattenburg fought Calgary’s Parker Bell, whereas Jayden Grubbe picked up 19 penalty minutes on Monday, dropping the gloves with Winnipeg’s Danny Zhilkin.
These rookie tournaments are at all times filled with younger enforcers attempting to make a reputation for themselves, and the Oilers clearly have a couple of younger candidates in the event that they determine they want a Matt Rempe equal. We all know the Oilers like Clattenburg, a bodily ahead drafted this summer time, and Grubbe, who they traded for within the spring of 2023.
Maximus Wanner
With Beau Akey sidelined because of harm, 2021 seventh spherical decide Max Wanner turned the Oilers’ #1 defenceman. Wanner spent all of final yr in Bakersfield, making him the one blueliner with professional expertise on the rookie camp roster. The large defenceman acquitted himself properly on either side of the puck, particularly on Friday towards Vancouver.
Wanner led the Condors in plus/minus final yr at 13, contributing 17 factors in 68 video games in his first skilled season. Together with his sturdy efficiency this weekend, he is nearly actually earned himself a spot in coaching camp. Contemplating the Oilers’ poor drafting report over the previous few years, turning a 212th general draft decide into an NHLer can be an enormous win.
On the finish of the day, the efficiency of the Oilers’ prospects is of low significance this season. Prime prospect Matt Savoie appeared good, chipping in a nifty help on the staff’s solely objective and contributing on either side of the puck. He’ll get an extended look in coaching camp, and any NHL contributions from him would represent successful for the farm system this season.
Whereas the Oilers rookies’ efficiency this weekend is disappointing, the Oilers have larger fish to fry. Massive league coaching camp opens on Wednesday, whereas the preseason schedule begins on Sunday afternoon with a matchup towards the Winnipeg Jets.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers staff website to by no means miss information, interviews or some other updates on the Oilers.
Related: Oilers Possess 7 Sure Fire 30-Goal Scorers
Related: Oilers New Trade Acquisition Was the Right Call
Related: Oilers Reportedly Looking For New Nurse Partner
