Oilers analyst suggests veteran forward will be sent down to minors, younger player called up

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Liam McCormick
August 26, 2024 (9:23)

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Ahead of the upcoming season where the Oilers could win the Stanley Cup, every roster spot matters, and the team may need to make a tough decision.

Allan Mitchell of the Athletic recently released his roster projections, featuring features a full 23-man group, and Derek Ryan beginning in the AHL. In his place at fourth line center, depth forward Lane Pederson would be called up.

Pederson is an undrafted 27 year old right shot centreman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was signed out of Junior by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016 and has gone on to play 71 total NHL games with the Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Edmonton Oilers signed Pederson to a two-year contract last summer for only $775K a year. He excelled with the Bakersfield Condors last year, scoring 22 goals and 52 points in 66 games.

The Oilers lost a significant amount of youth and speed in their bottom six with the departures of Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, and Dylan Holloway, so they may be needing to inject a younger and faster player in the bottom part of the lineup. Derek Ryan has proven to be a reliable 4th liner and penalty killer, but if he slows down a step in training camp, the Oilers should definitely give Pederson a chance. At 37 years old, Ryan is likely coming to the end of his NHL career.

After making some moves to shed salary and declining to match the offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues, it will be nice for the Oilers to finally have the in-season flexibility to carry a full roster. Prospects like Matthew Savoie, Raphael Lavoie, James Hamblin will be more likely to see the occasional game, which is always great for the organizations internal development. Roster depth is a major element needed for a deep playoff run, and the Oilers have potentially their deepest roster of the McDavid era this year.

Source for all player stats: PuckPedia - Edmonton Oilers