Prospect Info: Oilers Development Camp 2014

[Spawn]

You honestly can't tell from a 4v4 scrimmage in the middle of summer.

True, but when you consider that Nurse is expected to be the best player at this camp, I put more stock into defensive issues than I do him physically dominating younger smaller guys.

 

[McDrai]

From the scrimmage, it doesn't seem Nurse is good enough defensively yet.

Huh? He took out like 3-4 guys in the highlight video from what I saw

 

[Joey Moss]

I'm not sure how anyone would be able to tell if he was good defensively in that game or not.. it wasn't streamed and the highlights were crap..

 

[Mr Positive]

If Nurse forces the Oilers hand, I think he replaces Petry.

I think Petry is gone regardless. I know MacT says that the Oilers have long term plans for Petry but contracts speak louder than words. In interviews MacT is already using some of the same kind words he did for Dubnyk.

I believe that the narrative for progression in our D is something like this, based on contracts and clues from the people in charge of this team (I'm trying to purge my own opinions from this):

2015-16

Marincin Schultz
Nurse Fayne
Ference Niktin

2016-17

Nurse Schultz
Marincin Klefbom
Ference Fayne

Nurse will be ready after this season, and so I'm assuming that Niktin's spot on this team must be connected to Klefbom, who is a lesser prospect. Klefbom also plays RHD for OKC and I think that is by design. Regardless, I see Klefbom playing for the Oilers after the 2015 trade deadline after the inevitable Petry trade, but being sent down again after the season is done. Oddly, this will happen again with a deadline trade of Nikitin in 2016. Klefbom will come up, this time permanently. So Nurse will be a permanent full season member of the Oilers before Klefbom.

Other prospects are insurance, since it is always possible to bust out or for an unlikely player to ascend, but of course "the plan" in sports is always subject for revision.

 

[Aerchon]

I think Petry is gone regardless. I know MacT says that the Oilers have long term plans for Petry but contracts speak louder than words. In interviews MacT is already using some of the same kind words he did for Dubnyk.

I believe that the narrative for progression in our D is something like this, based on contracts and clues from the people in charge of this team (I'm trying to purge my own opinions from this):

2015-16

Marincin Schultz
Nurse Fayne
Ference Niktin

2016-17

Nurse Schultz
Marincin Klefbom
Ference Fayne

Nurse will be ready after this season, and so I'm assuming that Niktin's spot on this team must be connected to Klefbom, who is a lesser prospect. Klefbom also plays RHD for OKC and I think that is by design. Regardless, I see Klefbom playing for the Oilers after the 2015 trade deadline after the inevitable Petry trade, but being sent down again after the season is done. Oddly, this will happen again with a deadline trade of Nikitin in 2016. Klefbom will come up, this time permanently. So Nurse will be a permanent full season member of the Oilers before Klefbom.

Other prospects are insurance, since it is always possible to bust out or for an unlikely player to ascend, but of course "the plan" in sports is always subject for revision.

I agree with your assessment.

One thing you are forgetting is injuries could vastly change the composition of that group and Petry may find himself signed just because of that.

Also if Nikita or Fayne doesn't pan out it could one of them be him on the way out earlier than expected and Petry sticking.

When you look at that plan I personally think it is a solid one. Provides depth and progression for both the big squad and the AHL affiliate. The thing I like most about it is we also have Aulie, Gernat, Musil, Simpson, Lagesson, and Davidson all with some potential to develop into legitimate NHL D-men.

Potential is just that... potential, but for true success in a salary cap world you have to rely on your scouting and development. I think going off "the plan" as you outline it, we should have a solid D for years to come.

 

[OiledUp]

I agree with your assessment.

One thing you are forgetting is injuries could vastly change the composition of that group and Petry may find himself signed just because of that.

Also if Nikita or Fayne doesn't pan out it could one of them be him on the way out earlier than expected and Petry sticking.

When you look at that plan I personally think it is a solid one. Provides depth and progression for both the big squad and the AHL affiliate. The thing I like most about it is we also have Aulie, Gernat, Musil, Simpson, Lagesson, and Davidson all with some potential to develop into legitimate NHL D-men.

Potential is just that... potential, but for true success in a salary cap world you have to rely on your scouting and development. I think going off "the plan" as you outline it, we should have a solid D for years to come.

I'd say there's no way it takes until 16-17 before
Klefbom is in our top six. But I know we have different opinions on Klefbom as a prospect and particulary in comparison to Marincin so we'll have to agree to disagree on that. Imo he may very leapfrog a lot of the guys on our blueline as early as this year. However that goes we have a very interesting D crop coming up. I like the look of Simpson as well.

 

[Aerchon]

I'd say there's no way it takes until 16-17 before
Klefbom is in our top six. But I know we have different opinions on Klefbom as a prospect and particulary in comparison to Marincin so we'll have to agree to disagree on that. Imo he may very leapfrog a lot of the guys on our blueline as early as this year. However that goes we have a very interesting D crop coming up. I like the look of Simpson as well.

A lot can and probably will happen to our roster through next year. So Klefbom could be on our roster sooner than that assessment indicates. I think Marincin is better in Mac T's book than Klebom. Combined with our roster and Mac T's comments to slowly develop our prospects. I think Klefbom is one of the main players they want to develop outside the NHL.

I am a Klefbom fan. Just think his injuries have slowed his development and that Marincin "has arrived" and proven capable in a top 4 role and Klefbom still needs to improve a bit more. Having him bottom pairing isn't going to improve the team much if at all.

 

[Titsuple]

Nurse is a beast and he could play in the NHL this year.

 

[Joey Moss]

Nurse is a beast and he could play in the NHL this year.

Everyone knows that but we already have 8 defenseman ahead of him on the depth chart and another year in the OHL where he can light it up and play in the World Juniors isn't going to hurt.

 

[Delicious Pancakes]

I think Petry is gone regardless. I know MacT says that the Oilers have long term plans for Petry but contracts speak louder than words. In interviews MacT is already using some of the same kind words he did for Dubnyk.

I believe that the narrative for progression in our D is something like this, based on contracts and clues from the people in charge of this team (I'm trying to purge my own opinions from this):

2015-16

Marincin Schultz
Nurse Fayne
Ference Niktin

2016-17

Nurse Schultz
Marincin Klefbom
Ference Fayne

Nurse will be ready after this season, and so I'm assuming that Niktin's spot on this team must be connected to Klefbom, who is a lesser prospect. Klefbom also plays RHD for OKC and I think that is by design. Regardless, I see Klefbom playing for the Oilers after the 2015 trade deadline after the inevitable Petry trade, but being sent down again after the season is done. Oddly, this will happen again with a deadline trade of Nikitin in 2016. Klefbom will come up, this time permanently. So Nurse will be a permanent full season member of the Oilers before Klefbom.

Other prospects are insurance, since it is always possible to bust out or for an unlikely player to ascend, but of course "the plan" in sports is always subject for revision.

Ha! tell that to Gagner...

Maybe Mac-T learned from that signing and is being more cautious with Petry. Or like others have mentioned maybe Petry only wanted a one year deal. All just speculation at this point.

What is clear is Jeff Petry controls his fate and could cash in if he plays well this coming year. Curious to see whether he's an Oiler past this year and under what circumstances.

 

[Pointteen]

Just checked out a few of the orientation video's from Jasper.

First off, when they interviewed that US Ranger, I was thinking that it would be nice if a few of our roster players took part in that campout.

The one thing that is really sticking out for me is the inner confidence that Darnell Nurse is displaying. Wouldn't be too surprised if he makes the team this year.

At the least the 9 games to see where he's at with people his own size. He pretty much dwarfs the rest of the players there, except for a few like Drai and Yaks2.

Cannot wait for training camp. We might see something a little bit different this year than in previous years.

If Nurse is clearly too good for the CHL this year then I'd love to see him play 9 games with the Oilers this year. Space them out over the entire year. Get him to travel, train and practice with the team etc. I think St. Louis did this with Pietrangelo for a year.
That way he gets used to the NHL speed at practice and gets a decent amount of experience without burning an ELC year. He also gets a taste of the lifestyle and hopefully this leaves him wanting to earn a full time spot the year after.

People were suggesting getting rid of Petry because we have some NHL capable defenders with some prospects banging on the door. It's as if us as fans are afraid of the team improving. Depth is never a bad thing.

If Nurse steps up in a big way then it opens up a trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness. That's asset management.

 

[BarDownBobo]

Huh? He took out like 3-4 guys in the highlight video from what I saw

Hits don't necessarily mean he's good defensively. I wasn't in Jasper, but from some of the things I've heard he was having some issues in his own zone.

 

[Tyrolean]

Too bad we can't get rid of Ference.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Too bad we can't get rid of Ference.

We could, it just takes some creativity from fans.

 

[iCanada]

If Nurse is clearly too good for the CHL this year then I'd love to see him play 9 games with the Oilers this year. Space them out over the entire year. Get him to travel, train and practice with the team etc. I think St. Louis did this with Pietrangelo for a year.
That way he gets used to the NHL speed at practice and gets a decent amount of experience without burning an ELC year. He also gets a taste of the lifestyle and hopefully this leaves him wanting to earn a full time spot the year after.

People were suggesting getting rid of Petry because we have some NHL capable defenders with some prospects banging on the door. It's as if us as fans are afraid of the team improving. Depth is never a bad thing.

If Nurse steps up in a big way then it opens up a trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness. That's asset management.

Obviously, if Nurse is too good for junior best development path is for him to not play hockey.

 

[Raab]

We could, it just takes some creativity from fans.

F that, Ference isn't going anywhere for a year or two. Literally the last dman I'd want to move.

 

[Sweetpotato]

Hits don't necessarily mean he's good defensively. I wasn't in Jasper, but from some of the things I've heard he was having some issues in his own zone.

The media member(cant remember the name off the top of my head) that originally spread that was speaking about him getting booed and claimed it was his defensive errors. After a little research and asking around I was told the team was booed during the powerplay and none were heard while Nurse was in his own zone.

Ive heard from countless individuals throughout last season and this camp that nurses positioning was great.

 

[McShogun99]

If Nurse is clearly too good for the CHL this year then I'd love to see him play 9 games with the Oilers this year. Space them out over the entire year. Get him to travel, train and practice with the team etc. I think St. Louis did this with Pietrangelo for a year.
That way he gets used to the NHL speed at practice and gets a decent amount of experience without burning an ELC year. He also gets a taste of the lifestyle and hopefully this leaves him wanting to earn a full time spot the year after.

People were suggesting getting rid of Petry because we have some NHL capable defenders with some prospects banging on the door. It's as if us as fans are afraid of the team improving. Depth is never a bad thing.

If Nurse steps up in a big way then it opens up a trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness. That's asset management.

So have Nurse play 1 game a month during one of the most critical ages to develop as a player? All while learning how to practice NHL style and hit up the Ranch every week? Sounds like a recipe for success...

 

[Dorian2]

If Nurse is clearly too good for the CHL this year then I'd love to see him play 9 games with the Oilers this year. Space them out over the entire year. Get him to travel, train and practice with the team etc. I think St. Louis did this with Pietrangelo for a year.
That way he gets used to the NHL speed at practice and gets a decent amount of experience without burning an ELC year. He also gets a taste of the lifestyle and hopefully this leaves him wanting to earn a full time spot the year after.

People were suggesting getting rid of Petry because we have some NHL capable defenders with some prospects banging on the door. It's as if us as fans are afraid of the team improving. Depth is never a bad thing.

If Nurse steps up in a big way then it opens up a trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness. That's asset management.

Nicely thought out post....but like others have said, cannot really be having Nurse play a game a month over the year. I say first 9 of the season and see where he's at before the big decision is made.

I'd love to see the kids in JR. and OKC start to push the envelope on this team. Haven't seen that for years as an Oilers fan.

 

[Quinteoilers]

How did Greg Chase look? Does anyone think he will be a serviceable NHLer? It would be nice to have a late pick pan out.

 

[Spawn]

If Nurse is clearly too good for the CHL this year then I'd love to see him play 9 games with the Oilers this year. Space them out over the entire year. Get him to travel, train and practice with the team etc. I think St. Louis did this with Pietrangelo for a year.
That way he gets used to the NHL speed at practice and gets a decent amount of experience without burning an ELC year. He also gets a taste of the lifestyle and hopefully this leaves him wanting to earn a full time spot the year after.

People were suggesting getting rid of Petry because we have some NHL capable defenders with some prospects banging on the door. It's as if us as fans are afraid of the team improving. Depth is never a bad thing.

If Nurse steps up in a big way then it opens up a trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness. That's asset management.

The latest the Blues ever kept Pietrangelo was mid November. Sorry to pile on. But you don't keep a player up not to play him throughout the year.

 

[OilCountry93]

If Nurse is clearly too good for the CHL this year then I'd love to see him play 9 games with the Oilers this year. Space them out over the entire year. Get him to travel, train and practice with the team etc. I think St. Louis did this with Pietrangelo for a year.
That way he gets used to the NHL speed at practice and gets a decent amount of experience without burning an ELC year. He also gets a taste of the lifestyle and hopefully this leaves him wanting to earn a full time spot the year after.

People were suggesting getting rid of Petry because we have some NHL capable defenders with some prospects banging on the door. It's as if us as fans are afraid of the team improving. Depth is never a bad thing.

If Nurse steps up in a big way then it opens up a trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness. That's asset management.

Terrible idea. Spacing out 9 games over 7 games is horrible development. Practicing with NHLers would be good, however no matter how intense the practice, it is not nearly equivalent to games. Nurse needs to be in game situations night in and night out. If he's not NHL ready, I don't think playing him as an over-ager in the CHL is great either. He should spend the year in OKC playing against men. There's no reason why he needs to be rushed to the NHL. The majority of players have cut their teeth playing the AHL before becoming full time NHLers. If it's good enough for Getzlaf/Perry, it's good enough for Nurse.

EDIT: I had his birthday wrong, thought he was AHL eligible, apparently he's not. Still, better to play a full season in the CHL, than space 9 games over 7 months in the NHL.

 

[Oiltankjob Fail]

Everyone knows that but we already have 8 defenseman ahead of him on the depth chart and another year in the OHL where he can light it up and play in the World Juniors isn't going to hurt.[/QUOTIf Nurse is ready say goodbye to one of them book it.

 

[BarDownBobo]

The media member(cant remember the name off the top of my head) that originally spread that was speaking about him getting booed and claimed it was his defensive errors. After a little research and asking around I was told the team was booed during the powerplay and none were heard while Nurse was in his own zone.

Ive heard from countless individuals throughout last season and this camp that nurses positioning was great.

What I had heard was just from the development camp, not related to whatever happened in SSM, but like I said I wasn't there so I don't have the first hand accounts.

 

[Pointteen]

The latest the Blues ever kept Pietrangelo was mid November. Sorry to pile on. But you don't keep a player up not to play him throughout the year.

I wasn't aware it was so short. I think the November thing is a good way to do it. I'll retract my statement and say that.
Gives him two months of practices and a full training camp and preseason.

It is really too bad about the AHL age limit, but the CHL needs them I guess...