Oilers Could Make Unexpected Move With Familiar PTO Invite

Kurt Leavins of The Edmonton Journal posted an interesting take on the Edmonton Oilers and a player they might consider inviting to camp on a professional tryout. Given that there isn’t as much time this season to see PTOs in action (limited preseason games), going with the player you know might be a smarter move for franchises.

Leavins writes:

“As Training Camp slowly approaches, talk of possible Professional Try-Outs starts up. I believe the whole concept of PTO’s fit better when pre-season schedules were longer. Now, clubs will want to be damn sure about a try-out candidate to spend one or more of their precious four exhibition games on a guy.”

It’s an interesting thought. Instead of inviting a player that you need to see, bring in someone you already know intimately well and see how he’s playing before committing to a contract.

Leavins adds, “It is unlikely teams like the Oilers will just take a flier on a player when their own prospects urgently need a look. Maybe a right-shot Center such as Curtis Lazar? And even then…they’ve seen him enough to know.”

Could the Oilers, who surprisingly didn’t re-sign Lazar after he served a solid, but irregular depth role last season, take another look this summer? Lazar hasn’t signed on anywhere, and he seemed to enjoy his time in Edmonton. He understood and embraced his role. He would do so again if given a chance to serve a purpose with this team under Mike Babcock.

And, it’s not like everyone would know Lazar all that well. Babcock and D.J. Smith are taking over behind the bench. It would be a fresh set of eyes on Lazar.