Does Pre-Season Action Mean Anything?

This is Jordan Eberle. He sounds pretty serious about making the big club this fall, or at least he is saying all of the right things.How does one go about making the Edmonton Oilers when not considered one of the favorites? Fortunately for Eberle there are some fairly recent examples of success.First, get noticed early. Second, find your way into a few pre-season games and third--showcase whatever skills God gave you.Since the lockout ended, the Oilers have given long looks to the kids they're seriously thinking about keeping. In the fall of 2005, Jani Rita got 7 games to show what he could do and did indeed make the big club (traded later in the season). Fall 2005Zack Stortini 3gp, 1-0-1, 20pims +1Marc Pouliot 4gp, 1-0-1 -4Rob Schremp 6gp, 1-0-1 -2Dan Smith 5gp, 0-1-1 -1Kyle Brodziak 4gp, 0-1-1 EDanny Syvret 4gp, 0-1-1 EJani Rita 7gp, 0-1-1 -4Brad Winchester 6gp, 0-0-0 -3Matt Greene 4gp, 0-0-0 -4JF Jacques 3gp, 0-0-0 -1Yan Stastny 3gp, 0-0-0 -5Mike Morrison 2gp, 0.48 .978Troy...