Edmonton Oilers reveal lineup for first preseason game

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Liam McCormick
September 22, 2024 (2:12 PM)

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The long offseason wait is finally over, and Edmonton Oilers hockey is back. The first preseason game will be played tonight on home ice against the Winnipeg Jets at 6:00.

The Oilers will be icing a youth-heavy lineup in tonight's matchup, and the Winnipeg Jets will do the same.

Each NHL team has to dress six players with more than 30 games played in each pre-season game, and it feels like the Oilers barely met that requirement for tonight's game. Tonight will be a major opportunity for some young prospects to make a positive impression on management to stick around longer in training camp or potentially make the team - but many of these players may be sent home relatively soon.

Some players to watch tonight will be Vasily Podkolzin, Mike Hoffman, Raphael Lavoie, Matthew Savoie, and Travis Dermott. All of these players have a path to secure a roster spot with some positive play in the preseason. The two veterans on tryout contracts will be trying to get a cup-contending team to sign them, and a the slew of younger players are still trying to break into the NHL.

Vasily Podkolzin, who's played 137 career games, has struggled in recent years and needs to prove he can be a contributor. Some Oilers insiders think that if Podkolzin can hit his stride, he could become the next Klim Kostin.

Matthew Savoie and Raphael Lavoie could be looking at jobs in the bottom six for the Oilers this season if they can prove they've taken another step in their development in these preseason games. Both have already had a cup of coffee in the NHL, and surely will be hungry for more on a team like the Oilers.

Similarly on the other side of the ice, the Winnipeg Jets are sending out a roster of minimal veterans and young players looking to break through.

Tonight's game will begin at 6:00 MT in Rogers Place. The game is available for viewing on Oilers+ for a price, but also on the Winnipeg Jets website for free. Gear up Oilers fans, hockey is finally back!

Are you going to watch preseason games this year? Let us know in the poll below!

Source for Lineup: OilersNation - GDB -1.0: Oilers kick off the pre-season vs. the Jets