The Most Attention-grabbing Oilers on the Younger Stars Basic

Coaching camps are underway throughout the NHL, for everybody from 18-year-old rookies to seasoned vets. For the Edmonton Oilers, a key milestone in that course of begins tomorrow, on the Younger Stars Basic in Penticton, BC.

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From September thirteenth to sixteenth, rookies from the Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets organizations will face off in a weekend showcase, of their fights to earn a gap day roster spot. One of the best of these performers will earn an extended have a look at Oilers coaching camp.

Whereas the Oilers have one of many weakest farm methods within the NHL, rating thirtieth by each EliteProspects‘ and The Athletic‘s accounting, it nonetheless options some future NHLers. As we speak, we’ll check out a number of gamers price maintaining a tally of this weekend and all through the season.

F Matthew Savoie, 20

No shock right here. Acquired from Buffalo in change for Ryan McLeod earlier this summer season, the 2022 ninth total decide instantly grew to become the Oilers’ prime prospect. With Evander Kane’s injury and Dylan Holloway‘s departure, Savoie could have an actual shot at making the Oilers’ roster with a great camp.

If he does, it’s going to be as a result of he reveals that his appreciable offensive expertise can translate to the NHL. As a 5’10” top-10 draft decide, Savoie’s calling playing cards are his ability, shot, and creativity, although he has been identified to indicate a feisty, aggressive aspect. The truth that he is the one participant on the rookie camp roster with a jersey quantity below #30 (Savoie, who wore #93 in junior, has been issued #22 by the Oilers) is a clue that he is obtained at the least an opportunity to make the crew.

I’ve checked out some of Savoie’s comparables earlier than, however one different participant he jogs my memory of is new Oiler Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson was a ache within the Oilers’ sides throughout his time in Los Angeles, and has a fan in his new linemate Leon Draisaitl. If Arvidsson, who has a prolonged harm historical past, lands on the IR, Matt Savoie could be a main candidate to take his place on Draisaitl’s proper wing.

RD Beau Akey, 19

Drafted within the second spherical, 56th total, by the Oilers in 2023, Akey is the crew’s prime defensive prospect. Akey made a great impression on Oilers brass throughout final yr’s coaching camp, and signed his entry-level deal at the start of the season earlier than returning to Barrie within the OHL.

Akey is a midsized puck-moving defender, standing at 6″0 and tipping the scales at 183 kilos. His biggest asset on the ice is his glorious skating, incomes rave critiques for his athleticism. As is commonly the case with expert, athletic prospects, Akey’s problem is to place all of it collectively on the ice, and put that clean skating to good use on each side of the puck.

Sadly, Akey struggled with accidents final season, solely suiting up for 14 video games for the Colts. He will not make the Oilers this yr, however a powerful coaching camp and bounce-back yr in Barrie might put him on monitor to make his debut in 2025-26.

C Sam O’Reilly, 18

All eyes will probably be on O’Reilly in Penticton as Edmonton’s most up-to-date first spherical draft decide. The Oilers moved up on draft day to choose O’Reilly, sending a conditional 2025 1st to Philadelphia in change for the thirty second total decide.

His choice was a little bit of a shock, ranked because the Forty fourth-best prospect within the draft by Dobber Prospects. Clearly, if the Oilers traded as much as choose him forward of the place he was projected, they see one thing in him that different groups could not.

O’Reilly (who, for the report, bears no relation to Predators centre Ryan O’Reilly) profiles as a shutdown defensive centre. Whereas that is a really useful sort of participant within the NHL, it is uncommon to see a prospect described that approach at age 18. When a ahead is already described as a defensive specialist at that age, it is typically not an amazing signal for his future.

That is to not say O’Reilly has no offence in any respect. As a rookie final yr within the OHL, he scored 56 factors in 68 video games, together with 12 in 16 within the playoffs. After spending such a useful asset on him, the Oilers are certainly hoping to see him add some offence to his recreation throughout coaching camp and within the OHL, whereas nonetheless excelling in his personal finish. If he can attain his ceiling, he profiles because the sort of two-way shutdown 3C that you just want within the playoffs. This will probably be an enormous yr for him.

Savoie, Akey, and O’Reilly are clearly the massive three within the Oilers’ farm system, however they’re sending a number of intriguing older gamers to Penticton. Russian winger Matvey Petrov had a disappointing first yr in Bakersfield, however is armed with a lethal shot. Large centre Jayden Grubbe might add some physicality to the underside six. Goaltender Connor Ungar, signed as a free agent in March, put up glorious numbers within the WHL two years in the past and at Brock College final yr, and also you by no means know with goalies.

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