G Olivier Roy gets sent down in order to compete with David LeNeveu for the backup job in the AHL. It's likely Roy will spend all or part of the season in the ECHL with Stockton this year.
D's Alex Plante and Ryan Lowery were also sent down. Plante would appear to be well down the OKC depth chart to start the season, there are several (many) defensemen who are still in Edmonton and making an impression. Aside from the 6 Oiler veterans, Taylor Chorney, Jeff Petry, Corey Potter, Taylor Fedun and Colten Teubert (injured) are still in camp. That puts Plante 12th on the overall depth chart. Lowery signed an AHL contract with OKC and the demotion today was just a paper transaction.
Two defensemen were also optioned out: D Martin Marincin was sent back to junior, giving the young man a chance to follow through and have a strong season. His first half was brilliant a year ago, but the second half was poor. D Kirill Tulupov was sent to OKC and I expect he'll be signing a contract this week.
The Oilers also sent out several forwards:
- C Chris VandeVelde: Surely a disappointment for him but there's just too much talent for him to beat back. I expect he'll see a recall during the season.
- C Ryan Martindale: Still no certain word on a contract, with Marincin being sent down the team does have some freedom.
- C-R Tyler Pitlick: Impressed this fall, he's a guy who might get a recall during the regular year. Pitlick's skill set is somewhat unique in this group (gritty, excellent shot) so he might end up staying awhile upon his return.
- C-L Tanner House: He had some strong moments and is on the radar for the organization. House was sent down a little later than some of the guys he'll be in competition with (Tremblay, Arcobello) and that's always a good sign.
- L Curtis Hamilton: Showed well but I think everyone expected he'd be in OKC around this time. Has a nice range of skills, and is a better passer than I thought he'd be at this level.
- L Phil Cornet: I think he regained his status a little during this TC, and am hopeful he can build on it. So far, he reminds me of Slava Trukhno, who impressed at TC and then failed in the AHL. Here's hoping he can find a way.
- R Milan Kytnar: Injury washed away his preseason, I don't have any idea how the organization values him at this point. Needs a strong AHL season, he played well in OKC a year ago.
Here is the Oilers current roster:
- G Devan Dubnyk
- G Nikolai Khabibulin
- G Yann Danis
- D Ryan Whitney (injured)
- D Tom Gilbert
- D Cam Barker
- D Ladislav Smid
- D Theo Peckham
- D Andy Sutton
- D Taylor Chorney
- D Jeff Petry
- D Corey Potter
- D Colten Teubert
- D Taylor Fedun
- C Sam Gagner
- C Shawn Horcoff
- C Eric Belanger
- C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
- C Anton Lander
- C Ryan O'Marra
- L Taylor Hall
- L Ryan Smyth
- L Magnus Paajarvi
- L Ben Eager
- L Darcy Hordichuk
- L Teemu Hartikainen
- L Lennart Pettrell
- L Josh Green
- R Ales Hemsky
- R Jordan Eberle
- R Linus Omark
- R Ryan Jones
- R Gilbert Brule
- R Ryan Keller
- R Antti Tyrvainen
Got to think that Plante is in a bit of trouble when it comes to where he is slotted on the depth chart.
ReplyDeleteKirill Tulupov was sent to OKC and I expect he'll be signing a contract this week.
ReplyDeleteAHL or NHL contract?
If it is an AHL contract, that means he is fair game for other NHL teams that would like to sign him - correct?
If it is an NHL contract, that is number 50 and the Oilers are out of room - correct?
Can the Oilers exceed 50 and then clear off one or two prior to the start of season?
Is there a buyout period prior to the start of the season?
Bookie,
ReplyDeleteMarincin being sent to the CHL means his contract no longer counts towards the 50.
So the Oilers sit at 48, so (Tup)Ulanov and Martindale can both be signed to NHL deals.
I'm so glad our farm team is located in Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteWG - thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see three goalies still at camp. Hopefully we'll start the season with three. After the last couple of years, it just wouldn't be the same with only two goalies on the roster like every other team in the league.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that Martindale has been signed as he is off to OKC: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=589919&navid=DL|EDM|home
ReplyDeleteExciting news for those of us who hope the player develops meteorically if not a little lethargically.
Oh look, it appears Martindale is signed. Perhaps next time we can avoid all the premature angst about contracts!
ReplyDeleteCampoli to the Canadiens-1 year $1.75M.
ReplyDeleteSo, lots of players who could turn out to be useful NHL pieces.
ReplyDeleteNot enough NHL calibre pieces on the back end.
Sounds like the perfect strom for one of those mythical "quantity for quality" trades that I've heard so much about...
Oh look, it appears Martindale is signed. Perhaps next time we can avoid all the premature angst about contracts!
ReplyDeleteNever.
As long as Vish is involved in the organization angst will always rule the day.
Expect the unexpected.
ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced today the team has agreed to terms with forward Robby Dee.
ReplyDeleteDee, 24, joins the Everblades after a productive season last year with the University of Maine, posting 35 points (13g, 22a) in 36 games played. The 6-1, 185-pound center amassed 74 points (33g, 41a) with the Black Bears during his four-year collegiate career.
“Robby is good sized, and great skating center,” said Poss. “He is a versatile guy that can play in all situations on the power play and penalty kill.”
The Plymouth, Minnesota native was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third-round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He played two seasons with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL from 2005-2007. Dee joins college teammate Josh Van Dyk, who was signed by the Everblades earlier this summer. Both Dee and Van Dyk played at University of Maine from 2007-2011
Boy I like this organization having a solidly established farm team. Developement side of the Oilers appears to be well underway.
ReplyDeleteGood think Lowe got that first round pick from NYI in the Smyth trade.
ReplyDeleteword veri -
hogest - Klowe's greed for # of assets in a trade deal
So there is apparently fear that Ganger has a high ankle sprain. If that turns out to be true...congrats, RNH, you probably just made the team.
ReplyDeleteWoodguy: I never thought playing the devil's advocate would lead me to be an optimist! This never happened when I was teaching.
ReplyDeleteIf Gagner has a high ankle sprain then I think it's also a better possibility that Lander makes the team.
ReplyDeleteGolden opportunity for Brule as well in fact.
I think RNH was always going to make this team so I the impact of Gagner's on him would have more to do with his role and the minutes he'll be playing.
There's no doubt that RNH is going to make the team, at least for the first nine games. The only way he wasn't going to get a look is if he seemed overmatched during camp and preseason and it's been quite the opposite. Gagner being out will likely help out one of Lander, O'Marra or Brule. For that matter, Brule might have an inside track if the Oilers think they have any chance of trading him.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of RNH, the Oilers have a video up which suggests tomorrow night will feature the line of RNH, Smyth and Hemsky. That should be an interesting group.
Since there are apparently too many forwards and not enough quality defenders how about the Oilers make a EV lineup with four forwards and one defender?
ReplyDeleteSmyth - RNH - Hemsky
Hartikainen - Lander - Omark
Hall - Gagner - Eberle
Brule - Belanger - Jones
Horcoff - Gilbert
Paajarvi - Smid
Petrell - Sutton
The Oilers could have THREE centres on the ice for any draw!
Yeah Ted was going to make it regardless so if Gagner is hurt badly enough the guys who may benefit are Lander, Brule or O'Marra.
ReplyDeleteLike Hartikainen I would think they want Lander to get bigger minutes than he would in a fourth line role here so unless they start the year with Belanger as the 4th centre it would be either Brule or O'Marra in that slot.
So how many contracts are they at now? If the Russian gets signed and Rajala does not count then its 49, right?
From Van Diest of The Sun...
ReplyDeleteColten Teubert has been back on the ice skating with the Edmonton Oilers for a few days now, but he has yet to shed the no-contact red jersey.
The defensive prospect has not been fully cleared after suffering a concussion in a fight against Vancouver Canucks prospect Adam Polasek at the YoungStars tournament in Penticton.
“I felt good (Monday), I felt ready and I’m just hoping to get in a game,”
Teubert said following practice. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get into a game. That’ll be up to the coaches. Obviously, I’ve missed a lot and whatever their decision is, I’m going to have to respect it.”
Teubert had an appointment with the Oilers team doctor following practice and hopes to be cleared, allowing him to play in at least one exhibition game.
And it appears RNH-Hemmer-Smytty will play as a line against Phoenix, the print media cnfirming the speculation in the thread above.
BD,
ReplyDeleteThey are at 49.
Rajala counts.
The only time you get to remove someone from the 50 is when an 18 or 19 year old goes back to the CHL.
Marincin going back to PG made it 48.
Can they buy out Motin ala Hrabal?
ReplyDeleteOK so bear with me WG.
ReplyDeleteZona had them at 49 before this round of cuts.
Minus Marincin makes it 48.
Plus Martindale makes it 49/
Is that where we are at?
And if they sign the Russian its 50 then, correct?
I wonder if they just gas Brule as well, does anyone think that's close to a possibility?
BD: I think they're still trying to figure out if they have anything useful in Brule as either a 14th forward or possibly a trade target (unlikely).
ReplyDeleteOne more poor preseason performance may convince the Oilers to get rid of him at any cost, but we'll have to see.
Master Lok:
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the days of the rover. That's probably the perfect position for young Ultramagnus.
Call me crazy, but I really think we're going about Pitlick/Martindale the wrong way.
Pitlick still has a year of junior eligibility left and I really don't think he dominated the WHL as everyone thinks and fear he'll regress with added responsibilities playing against men. He may have the grit to get by but he lacks defensive awareness even at the junior level.
If anyone thinks the AHL is the place for a young offense-first pivot with documented consistency issues, I question your judgement. The kid's going to get stuck with also-rans and grinders, you think that's a recipe for success? I see his scoring taking a nose-dive this year and the "effort" questions will again begin to surface. Martindale will never be mistaken for a checking-line center. Why then would we dump him down the depth chart like many of you are suggesting we do?
Smart teams put their players in a position to succeed. Sending these kids to the AHL is something the Leaves would do.
Ales Hemsky is back.
ReplyDeleteBD,
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it.
L.T,
Did they gas Hrabel while under contract?
You cannot unilaterally terminate a NHL contract, but it can be dissolved if both parties agree.
V3.1 - "Johan, you'll never play in the NHL, do you want to go and make a career in the SEL, make better $ than the AHL, be closer to home and bang Swedish women?"
JM - "Ja"
V3.1 - "sign here"
Cactus - negative value I think now
ReplyDeleteThey may let him try and play his way out of it but problem is can he play enough games to even get to that point.
Brule and O'Marra are candidates for 13/14 F. Lander needs to make the top 12 for it to make sense to keep him up.
ReplyDeleteStill, long term I expect Lander to be the best of that trio. And by "long term" I mean "November".
Bruce - at this point would you be ok with Lander being the fourth line centre?
ReplyDelete@BDHS: Not sure. I've got no probs with them sending him down for awhile. But if he's in the line-up every night and has a meaningful role, meaning double digit minutes inc. PK time, that's not bad.
ReplyDeleteI was just writing on Cult of Hockey about this. If Horc, Belanger, Gagner all healthy, it was an easy choice to send Lander down at least for duration of RNH's 9 game trial, then decide which guy is more NHL-ready. But this being the Oilers, the chances of any group of three guys all staying healthy for longer than, say, 10 minutes is highly unlikely. Many a youngster has been thrust into the fire as an injury replacement in recent years. At least ROM and Bru offer some options in the short term.
Bruce - yeah those are my thoughts too pretty well. If he's sitting in the PB or barely playing then send him to OKC, until Gagner got hurt the centres were set 1 to 4 anyhow.
ReplyDeleteAnd as you said the injuries will come. Same with Hartikainen, all it takes is one of six guys to go down and bang there's a top nine spot. So send him down until that happens.
I really do think they cut Brule loose, Matheson tweeted tonight that he's having a tough time. Could be the axe coming.
Lowetide -
ReplyDeleteLong time reader, first time poster.
I value your contribution to Oiler culture. This blog is probably the most intelligent venue for discussion of Oiler - nay - hockey culture I have discovered on the web. I also find myself doing something I refuse to do elsewhere, which is to religiously follow the comments section. The followers of Lowetide are generally speaking intelligent, dedicated Oiler fans, and the discussion never falls prey to baiting or name-calling. Certainly the majority here are well beyond me when it comes to the minutia of the game we all love. (I may add that this blog is not so obsessed with 'new stats' as to distract from the beauty and idiosyncrasy which make hockey my favourite sport, and to which increasingly hockey fans are falling victim. Have they ever laced a pair of skates?... That's another gripe, entirely.)
BUT BUT BUT BUT....
Would it kill you to cut down on the blatantly sexist imagery you employ from time to time? "Oilers Cut 12" as a headline and story has very, very little to do with two massive American breasts, as far as I can tell. You are a fan of the obscure, could you not have referenced some band cutting a 12'' record? Maybe a screen capture from "12 Angry Men"?
If there's one Katz-era decision that brought more shame on the Oilers than unearthing that roster of high octane "dancers", it certainly wasn't any other signing, loss or disgruntled player. Let us rejoice in our love of the Oilers while presenting a positive and inclusive rationale for supporting what is already (and still) the NHL's most sympathetic franchise. IMO.
Cheers, and keep up the good work.
blackacre,
ReplyDelete1) The lady in question is wearing an Oklahoma shirt (she's wearing it very well too), and since players getting cut go to Oklahoma, its relevant.
2) LT's Boobs/60 is still way above replacement level and superior to other bloggers whose salaries' take up more of their team's cap.
3) His DianeLane/gm has been suffering lately, so perhaps he is slipping in that regard.
4) I agree that his Scarlett + Jill still make him a valuable to a roster, but asking him to change his game is like asking Marty Sakic to stop taking faceoffs.
I, for one, will never get sick of that picture.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I was mesmerized by that beautiful... shirt. Did Lowetide write something?
ReplyDeleteHey, love this blog, but.
ReplyDeleteJust something I had to get off my...chest.
Maybe you could suggest an option of having a choice to see the picture. I know Lowetide is a highly reasonable man but we must remember this is his blog.
ReplyDeleteOmark plays big and brings an imagination that makes Steven Speilberg envious. He dares to be great he is a Oiler in my books. Little Boffa