I am not trying to defend the Oilers here but I think there are a few points that need to be acknowledged.
First, it is pretty clear if you look at the Flames wing depth that Versteeg has an immediate opportunity to go in and play some impact minutes. He simply would not have had that same opportunity here.
Way too many people are worried about how Puljujarvi and Caggiula are going to handle a role in the top 9. It is pretty much guaranteed that they are going to face softer minutes than pretty much any line due to the forward depth that has been created this summer. In fact, as I have seen many posters say, this is the very role in which many say Yakupov should have been utilized. JP will get an opportunity to see some pp minutes, while being brought along slowly and developed at the best level in the world, surrounded by strong leaders and veteran hockey players.
The culture and structure under Mclellan is not the same as it has been for previous years, and the oilers have a unique opportunity to use their lineup in a way the oilers have not been able to in many many years. This is far from rookies being brought in over their heads, playing way above where they should be. A veteran line of Hendricks(Pitlick) Letestu Kassian is able to handle some tough starts, combined with a very solid top 6 forward unit.
Second, a poster mentioned the oilers passed on Frk, how would that be better than what they already have? I keep hearing the word depth being mentioned without any consideration towards how Mclellan will implement his roster. Additionally, Chiarelli has shown one of his strengths is to be able to find players into the year to address forward roster spots. Adding a waiver wire player in October, which takes up a contract, could affect his ability to pick up a Kassian or Maroon later on in the year. I believe Oilers management feels it is important not to handcuff yourself to contracts so early in the year when the options in-house appear to be better. Of course, how the Oilers start will be indicative of whether Chiarelli and Mclellan put together a competitive roster, but the reasoning that has led to their decisions appears, at least to me, sound when considering how they will potentially use their lineup.
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