Coach Knoblauch confirmed at practice the Oilers will trim their training camp roster and announce the cuts later today.
Tonight's lineup against Seattle will feature many players battling for a roster spot or a contract for the upcoming year. For many others, it could be their final game of the preseason.
Raphael Lavoie, Lane Pederson, and Noah Philp are the depth forwards battling to be called up this season. Travis Dermott and Mike Hoffman are looking to make a strong impression in the final games before their return ends. Sam O'Reilly is earning an extended look, but it's very likely he'll be sent back to Junior for next year.
More than a few Oilers still on the roster that won't dress in tonight's game are candidates to be cut from the team. Players like Carl Berglund, Seth Griffith, Drage Caggiula, Ben Gleason, and Philip Kemp aren't making the team. The Oilers still have a whopping 41 players left on the roster, and with only 3 preseason games left after tonight, that roster is going to have to shrink fast.
There's also 4 injured players on the Oilers roster at the moment, including Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse. Nurse is expected to get back into action for the final preseason game, and Kane is out for the very long-term.
The Oilers game tonight will be broadcasted on the Oilers+ site behind a paywall, but fans can use the presale code PRESEASON24 at checkout to watch for free. Gear up Oilers fans, hockey is back!
POLL | ||
Do you think any of these players make the Oilers opening lineup? | ||
Raphael Lavoie | 18 | 25 % |
Noah Philp | 23 | 31.9 % |
James Hamblin | 16 | 22.2 % |
Other/None | 15 | 20.8 % |
List of polls |