Edmonton Oiler roster battles to watch during training camp

As NHL training camps get set to begin shortly, there will be multiple training camp battles to watch. The Edmonton Oilers will have a fair amount of these this year, as new roster additions will look to prove themselves. Most of the roster battles in the Oilers’ lineup will be in the forward core; however, playing time in other areas of the lineup will also be up for grabs.

Let’s take a look at the top training camp battles to watch in the Oilers organization.

Rookies fighting for a spot

Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard will both be fighting for a spot on the starting roster. Both are coming off fantastic seasons and look to take the next step forward. Savoie made his Edmonton Oilers debut last year against the Philadelphia Flyers. He recorded one assist, setting up Leon Draisaitl for an easy goal in the first period. Savoie is mainly known for his speed with the puck, vision, and stickhandling. He is a quick playmaker who could be a great addition alongside Draisaitl. His size is a bit concerning, as he only stands at 5’9″, but he has plenty of time to prove that it does not matter. Savoie was a top scorer with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL last year. He seems like he is ready for the NHL level.

Fellow rookie Isaac Howard is coming off a Hobey Baker Award-winning season with Michigan State University. He recorded a dominant 52 points in only 37 games, easily leading his team in scoring. Howard showed extremely positive progress last season, but ultimately refused to sign an entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning traded him to the Oilers in exchange for prospect Sam O’Rielly. Both are good prospects, but Howard wanted a start elsewhere.

Both of these rookies will be fighting for a spot in the Oilers’ top-six. The injury to Zach Hyman has made it possible for a lot of players to begin the season on the top line (assuming Hyman will not be ready). Savoie and Howard could be good choices for that opportunity, especially for a handful of games.

First line wingers

As briefly mentioned above, the first line winger spots may be wide open at the moment. Yes, guys like Savoie and Howard may be an option, but a veteran player may be better suited for that kind of responsibility. Veteran players like Andrew Mangiapane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may win the battle to start on the first line. Draisaitl is always an option for the first line, but that is only seen during crucial situations. Nugent-Hopkins has had success on McDavid’s wing in the past, and Mangiapane needs a great start in Edmonton.

The top-six forward core will look different this year. Stan Bowman decided to move on from players like Evander Kane, Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, and Jeff Skinner. All of these wingers got playing time in the top two lines for the Oilers. Now they may have three new wingers filling out those spots, with Hyman remaining on the top line. If Hyman does miss time to start the season, who do you think deserves a chance on the top line?

Goaltending battle

Stuart Skinner will be the number one guy going into next season, although Calvin Pickard will have plenty of reason to play his best in training camp. Skinner may still be the starter, but Pickard can fight to play as many games as possible. His performance in training camp could be an early indicator of how the games are split up. Pickard appeared in 36 games last year, posting an awesome 22–10–1 record. If he can perform to Skinner’s level in training camp, he could push to start in 30–40 games again this season.

Goaltending is the main issue in Edmonton, and it could definitely be a season to let the hot goalie play. During the playoffs last year, Pickard made ten appearances when Skinner was having serious struggles. Pickard was a boost the Oilers needed, as he posted a 7–1 record with his only loss coming in game five of the Stanley Cup Final. It could be the final year of a Skinner and Pickard duo, as both goalies are UFAs after this season.

Players to watch going into the season

There are multiple players to keep an eye on during the season. Forwards include:

• Zach Hyman – seeing how his injury has affected him
• Matthew Savoie – will it be his first full NHL season?
• Isaac Howard – can he earn a spot to start the season?

Defencemen to watch include the following:

• Jake Walman – seeing if he can build off last season
• Mattias Ekholm – is this the year he begins to decline?

As the new NHL season is less than a month away, who are you most excited to watch going into the season?