The Edmonton Oilers want to win hockey games by icing the best team possible. Everyone in the organization, from Connor McDavid to Brett Kulak, to Stuart Skinner, to Leon Draisaitl, wants to win.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized this with his post-game comments after falling to the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on September 24.
Kris Knoblauch Challenges His Team
GettyKris Knoblauch
One standout at Oilers training camp has been Arto Leppanen. The 26-year-old left-handed defender is making it difficult for the organization to send him to the AHL.
Knoblauch was asked after the Oilers’ last game on September 24 about how difficult it is to cut a player like that. He explains that the team takes priority over the player.
“We’re looking for the best players in every position,” Knoblauch said in response. “So, whether they are signed to an NHL, AHL deal, whatever it is, we’re looking for what’s best for our team. Whether that’s up at forward, defense, whatever it is.”
“If there’s certain players that are hungry and are performing really well and can take other guys spots, then that’s what we’re looking for.”
Just because there are veterans who are pencilled into specific placements in the lineup doesn’t mean they are safe from a newcomer or rookie coming in and taking their spot. This kind of healthy competition is what winning organizations are all about.
Knoblauch further explained why a newcomer or rookie might play better than a veteran in the exhibition season.
“Whether these players are ready for it, you know, it’s different. A lot of these guys are really excited and possibly playing their best,” Knoblauch began. “Where some of these veterans are just getting revved up.”
He ended his response to this question by sending a message to his team.
“It’s open tryouts, that’s what it is.”
Oilers Blueline Position Up For Grabs
GettyKris Knoblauch has sent a message to his team.
The Oilers have a few roster positions available. With Zach Hyman on the shelf to start the year, there is a top-six winger position ripe for the picking.
However, perhaps the more intriguing battle is the one on the blueline.
In addition to Kulak, mentioned above, the Oilers also have Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, Jake Walman, Ty Emberson, Troy Stecher, Alec Regula, and Leppanen in the fray. That’s nine defenders for six lineup spots and one extra. Which seven defenders will make the cut?
Unless something incredibly dramatic happens, Bouchard, Ekholm, Nurse, and Walman are guaranteed a spot. That leaves five players for three positions.
Of those five, Kulak and Stecher are the only ones who were not inherited by Stan Bowman when he became GM. Bowman traded Cody Ceci for Emberson, claimed Regula off waivers, and signed Leppanen as a European free agent.
Atro Leppanen Making a Case For the Starting Lineup
Leppanen is making plays and getting the puck onto the sticks of McDavid and Draisaitl. Having skill with your stick and being light on your feet is how this edition of the Oilers wants to play well defensively.
Adapting to new leagues and breaking records is nothing new for the Finn defender.
“I’ve been coaching for many years, and nothing surprises me anymore,” Tomas Westerlund, Leppanen’s coach in Liiga, said to Mark Spector of Sportsnet. “He made all the points records in the second league, and in two years he broke all the records in the Finnish top league.”
“He’s been adapting pretty fast to new leagues and new teams.”
That last phrase is key – new leagues and new teams. Just because he hasn’t played in the NHL doesn’t mean that he can’t find his footing quickly and carve out a place on the team’s blueline.
Of all the battles in camp, this one could prove to be the most interesting. It could also free up the Oilers to make additional trades for roster upgrades before or at the trade deadline.
Oilers Kris Knoblauch’s Strong Message to New & Returning Players