It’s early still, just two rookie games and several weeks of captain’s skates into the season, but I’ve come to now expect the unexpected when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers early this season.
Here’s what I now predict will shake out:
1. Ike Howard’s defensive game is going to need some work based on what I saw in the two rookie game. Howard is not super fast or agile. But he plays fast. He moves the puck well, shoots it well.
The key for him in advancing as a pro? Can he win, hold and move pucks on the boards? I bet he can.
The second key? His defensive fundamentals. He’s going to need some work there, so I expect to see him starting the year in Bakerfield, a reasonable expectation. If he is solid there for half a year or so, I can see him getting games in Edmonton.
2. With GM Stan Bowman’s rave review of 29-year-old forward David Tomasek, and with Zach Hyman still recovering from wrist surgery, I would not be surprised to see the big and skilled Tomasek get an audition on one of the top two lines, either with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. That audition will last depending on how well he plays and how long Hyman is out.
But I don’t see Tomasek as a replacement for Hyman on the top line. From what I’ve read his slick game doesn’t have Hyman’s drive and energy.
If you missed it, here’s what Bowman had to say to Bob Stauffer about Tomasek on Oilers Now on Friday: “He’s looked very noticeable to me this week on the ice. He looks like he’s an NHL player, and he should. He’s been a really top player in Europe for a few years. And it’s hard to lead the Swedish league in scoring if you’re not a good player. So, not surprised, but it’s nice to see him come in and in these skates with all the other NHL guys. A lot of times he’s standing out even with other NHL players as, like, ‘Wow, who’s that guy?’ He’s making plays. He’s shooting the puck, scoring goals. So, you know, there’s always that adjustment from captain skates to exhibition, to regular season, to second half, and then to playoffs, like everything gets ramped up. I’m sure it won’t be always a smooth ride, but I think David looks like he’s going to be a nice player for us.”
3. I figure another forward who will get a push to the top of the line-up is rookie Matt Savoie. He’s not Hyman, but his aggressive, hard-driving, high skill game makes him something of a mini-Hyman. He brings some of what Hyman brings. I can see him fitting well with McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Savoie has the skill to hang in the Top Six. If he can stay healthy, play with confidence and earn the trust of McDavid or Draisaitl, the scoring plays should follow.
Because Savoie is fast and Drai works well with faster players who create time and space for him to work his magic, I could see Savoie on a line with Drai and two-way grinding machine Vasily Podkolzin to start. But due to Hyman’s absence, a path to the St. Albert kid playing with McDavid is open.
roster
4. Will Ryan Nugent-Hopkins start on the top line with McDavid or will it be Andrew Mangiapane?
With RNH pulling such heavy duty on the power play and the PK, I can see Mangiapane getting on the top-line, as he’s got the rep of being a solid two-way player. He’ll get the puck to McDavid, forecheck and backcheck hard, and provide a steady presence on that line. RNH will then lead the way on the third line at center.
5. I thought Noah Philp was a better player than Mattias Janmark at the end of last season. I expect Philp to bump Janmark out of the line-up this fall. Janmark will be the 13th forward.
6. On defence, Edmonton will try to get Alec Regula through waivers. Atro Leppanen, a dynamo on the attack, will likely need a few months in Bakersfield to get used to the defensive game in North America, but I expect Leppanen will be in Edmonton’s line-up by the second half of the season.
7. Oilers with their first round of cuts today: They have released defenceman Dru Krebs from his professional tryout, as well as forward Andrew O’Neill, defencemen Jaxen Adam, Carson Woodall, Parker Von Richter & Hyde Davidson & goaltender Josh Banini from their amateur tryouts.
At the Cult of Hockey
STAPLES: Five stars for Edmonton Oilers prospect team in 5-4 loss to Calgary Flames rookies
LEAVINS: Stan Bowman not doing his job if he doesn’t look at signing Carter Hart
STAPLES: ‘Wow, who’s that guy?’: Oilers hockey boss with great review of late-blooming forward
STAPLES: Two good things, two bad things and two numbers as Oilers rookies lose 6-5 to Flames
Cult of Hockey prospect series 2025
Forwards: Matt Savoie (1st) Ike Howard (2nd), Maxim Berezkin (3rd), Josh Samanski (5th), Quinn Hutson (6th), William Nicholl (9th), Roby Jarventie (11th), Viljami Marjala (12th), Connor Clattenburg (13th), Tommy Lafreniere (14th). David Lewandowski (15th)
Dmen: Alec Regula (4th) Beau Akey (7th-tie) Atro Leppanen (10th) Paul Fischer (16th), Nikita Yevseyev (18th), Asher Barnett (19th)
Goalies: Samuel Jonsson (7th-tie), Nathaniel Day (17th), Eemil Vinni (20th)