GDT: Training Camp 2022

[Oilhawks]

maybe just to hit 8 vets for the line up

Those two are here only because of the minimum number of vets you have to dress for the Vancouver game. Unless either goes supernova, they get cut the morning after.

Didn’t they cut most of the “non vets” already?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see them both released but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see them signed. They could have cut them a lot earlier if they wanted to. I don’t think it has anything to do with meeting a quota at this point. I think the org sees some value in both of these players as extra options at attractive cap hits.

 

[FlameChampion]

Didn’t they cut most of the “non vets” already?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see them both released but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see them signed. They could have cut them a lot earlier if they wanted to. I don’t think it has anything to do with meeting a quota at this point. I think the org sees some value in both of these players as extra options at attractive cap hits.

I think you’re probably right. Probably more of a chance of being signed than not. In Demers case, I don’t really care if we sign him and he’s playing in the AHL and comes up for injury. Seems like a good dude off the ice and probably a good veteran for young guys.

I personally don’t think Virtanen has earned an NHL spot. If he’s playing in the AHL, on one hand its not a bad thing if hes an injury call up. On other hand, I don’t think he’s really a great guy to have around a bunch of young guys.

 

[Pass the Saitl Sauce]

Little surprised that Virtanen and Demers are here. Probably 1 more game against Vancouver away.

Vets are almost always final cuts as I’m sure it’s part of the negotiations before signing the PTO not only is it a showcase for the oilers but it’s extra chances for other teams to scout and sign them aswell. By signing on PTO here they were always long shots but being vets they gave the oilers training camp that extra competition and experience and in return the team gives them every scouting opportunity there is

I think you’re probably right. Probably more of a chance of being signed than not. In Demers case, I don’t really care if we sign him and he’s playing in the AHL and comes up for injury. Seems like a good dude off the ice and probably a good veteran for young guys.

I personally don’t think Virtanen has earned an NHL spot. If he’s playing in the AHL, on one hand its not a bad thing if hes an injury call up. On other hand, I don’t think he’s really a great guy to have around a bunch of young guys.

Yeah I think Demers gets 1 year 750k but waived and is called up later if injury bug hits the team. If he gets claimed while being waived well then it’s no different than if we just cut him

 

[VainGretzky]

Deja vu visions of Martin Brodeur, Skinner did not drop into butterfly-like 99.9% of goalies would on that play and the puck would have gone over the shoulder into the net

 

[nexttothemoon]

As is almost always the case there's the "illusion" of competition in camp and then there's the actual "reality" based on contracts/cap levels/bonus considerations etc.

I think they have a whiteboard set at the start of camp with their projected depth at each position... and it likely takes a LOT for a player to budge those pre-written names from those lists.

I honestly think due to cap limitations/bonuses etc this is what the roster looked like at the start of camp:


Kane-McD-Yamo
Hyman-Drai-JP
Holloway-RNH-Foegele
Janmark-McLeod-Ryan

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Broberg-Barrie
Murray

Campbell
Skinner


Broberg and Holloway are on the roster to start the season because of bonus cap considerations.

Also... because of the cap... one of Janmark/Foegele/Ryan likely have to hit waivers because they can only really afford to have a near minimum cap hit ($750,000-762,667) to replace one of them on the roster...

So one of:

Benson
Virtanen
Malone
McKegg
Griffith

Are likely in to replace one of:

Ryan
Janmark
Foegele


...on the initial roster to start the season.


That's likely the only "real" competition to choose the initial roster to start the season... one of Foegele/Janmark/Ryan hit waivers and one of Benson/Virtanen/Malone/McKegg/Griffith will replace them.

McKegg and Griffith are already out (sent to the AHL) so it's down to Benson/Virtanen/Malone for who will replace one of Foegele/Janmark/Ryan.


Of course injuries/trades could change that... but given no injuries and no trades... that's likely the small change to the initial roster.



My personal guess at the start of camp would have been... Ryan out because at the age Ryan is they may feel he's less likely to get picked off waivers and I didn't think they would risk losing Janmark on waivers so soon after signing him. Foegele on waivers likely makes the most sense though because he's very unlikely to get picked off waivers at that cap hit/term and if for some reason he was taken by another team... well that's a positive as it opens up a nice pile of free cap space for the Oilers.

I'd have guessed Virtanen added to the initial roster as he gives the Oilers another right hand shot with some speed/physicality in the lineup (which in "theory" Virtanen should be able to supply)... but Benson looks solid in camp and I think is definitely giving the Oilers something to think about if he keeps playing well. Benson is at a slight disadvantage as he's a left shot but if he brings decent tenacity/speed/effort then no doubt the team looks at adding him over the very average looking Virtanen so far.

 

[Mr Kot]

As is almost always the case there's the "illusion" of competition in camp and then there's the actual "reality" based on contracts/cap levels/bonus considerations etc.

I think they have a whiteboard set at the start of camp with their projected depth at each position... and it likely takes a LOT for a player to budge those pre-written names from those lists.

I honestly think due to cap limitations/bonuses etc this is what the roster looked like at the start of camp:


Kane-McD-Yamo
Hyman-Drai-JP
Holloway-RNH-Foegele
Janmark-McLeod-Ryan

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Broberg-Barrie
Murray

Campbell
Skinner


Broberg and Holloway are on the roster to start the season because of bonus cap considerations.

Also... because of the cap... one of Janmark/Foegele/Ryan likely have to hit waivers because they can only really afford to have a near minimum cap hit ($750,000-762,667) to replace one of them on the roster...

So one of:

Benson
Virtanen
Malone
McKegg
Griffith

Are likely in to replace one of:

Ryan
Janmark
Foegele


...on the initial roster to start the season.


That's likely the only "real" competition to choose the initial roster to start the season... one of Foegele/Janmark/Ryan hit waivers and one of Benson/Virtanen/Malone/McKegg/Griffith will replace them.

McKegg and Griffith are already out (sent to the AHL) so it's down to Benson/Virtanen/Malone for who will replace one of Foegele/Janmark/Ryan.


Of course injuries/trades could change that... but given no injuries and no trades... that's likely the small change to the initial roster.



My personal guess at the start of camp would have been... Ryan out because of the age of Ryan and they may feel he's less likely to get picked off waivers and I didn't think they would risk losing Janmark on waivers so soon after signing him. Foegele on waivers likely makes the most sense though because he's very unlikely to get picked off waivers at that cap hit/term and if for some reason he was taken by another team... well that's a positive as it opens up a nice pile of free cap space for the Oilers.

I'd have guessed Virtanen added to the initial roster as he gives the Oilers another right hand shot with some speed/physicality in the lineup (which in "theory" Virtanen should be able to supply)... but Benson looks solid in camp and I think is definitely giving the Oilers something to think about if he keeps playing well. Benson is at a slight disadvantage as he's a left shot but if he brings decent tenacity/speed/effort then no doubt the team looks at adding him over the very average looking Virtanen so far.

Hate to say this, but Janmark is looking like the odd guy out there. Ryan has pretty good numbers and is Foegle even worth sending down?

 

[Biltmore]

I think you’re probably right. Probably more of a chance of being signed than not. In Demers case, I don’t really care if we sign him and he’s playing in the AHL and comes up for injury. Seems like a good dude off the ice and probably a good veteran for young guys.

I personally don’t think Virtanen has earned an NHL spot. If he’s playing in the AHL, on one hand its not a bad thing if hes an injury call up. On other hand, I don’t think he’s really a great guy to have around a bunch of young guys.

Demers needs one NHL game to hit 700 I think. Would be nice for him to hit it as an injury call-up during the season.

 

[The Safe Play]

As is almost always the case there's the "illusion" of competition in camp and then there's the actual "reality" based on contracts/cap levels/bonus considerations etc.

I think they have a whiteboard set at the start of camp with their projected depth at each position... and it likely takes a LOT for a player to budge those pre-written names from those lists.

I honestly think due to cap limitations/bonuses etc this is what the roster looked like at the start of camp:


Kane-McD-Yamo
Hyman-Drai-JP
Holloway-RNH-Foegele
Janmark-McLeod-Ryan

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Broberg-Barrie
Murray

Campbell
Skinner


Broberg and Holloway are on the roster to start the season because of bonus cap considerations.

Also... because of the cap... one of Janmark/Foegele/Ryan likely have to hit waivers because they can only really afford to have a near minimum cap hit ($750,000-762,667) to replace one of them on the roster...

So one of:

Benson
Virtanen
Malone
McKegg
Griffith

Are likely in to replace one of:

Ryan
Janmark
Foegele


...on the initial roster to start the season.


That's likely the only "real" competition to choose the initial roster to start the season... one of Foegele/Janmark/Ryan hit waivers and one of Benson/Virtanen/Malone/McKegg/Griffith will replace them.

McKegg and Griffith are already out (sent to the AHL) so it's down to Benson/Virtanen/Malone for who will replace one of Foegele/Janmark/Ryan.


Of course injuries/trades could change that... but given no injuries and no trades... that's likely the small change to the initial roster.



My personal guess at the start of camp would have been... Ryan out because at the age Ryan is they may feel he's less likely to get picked off waivers and I didn't think they would risk losing Janmark on waivers so soon after signing him. Foegele on waivers likely makes the most sense though because he's very unlikely to get picked off waivers at that cap hit/term and if for some reason he was taken by another team... well that's a positive as it opens up a nice pile of free cap space for the Oilers.

I'd have guessed Virtanen added to the initial roster as he gives the Oilers another right hand shot with some speed/physicality in the lineup (which in "theory" Virtanen should be able to supply)... but Benson looks solid in camp and I think is definitely giving the Oilers something to think about if he keeps playing well. Benson is at a slight disadvantage as he's a left shot but if he brings decent tenacity/speed/effort then no doubt the team looks at adding him over the very average looking Virtanen so far.

Don't they need to waive one of Janmark, Ryan or Foegele? I think Janmark might be the one unless Foegele gets traded.

 

[nexttothemoon]

Hate to say this, but Janmark is looking like the odd guy out there. Ryan has pretty good numbers and is Foegle even worth sending down?

Cap hit relief is all the same from waiving Janmark/Ryan/Foegele. They all would save 1.125 million on the cap.

Source:

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

• 2022-23: $750,000 + $375,000 = $1,125,000

Don't they need to waive one of Janmark, Ryan or Foegele? I think Janmark might be the one unless Foegele gets traded.

Yes... as it stands now (barring trades, hangnail LTIR injuries etc )... they'd have to waive one of those players and replace them with a cheaper near league minimum option to fit under the cap.

I personally doubt they waive Janmark because they obviously like the player enough to sign him this summer... and he's got a fairly high chance of being picked off waivers as his cap hit is reasonable for his age/skillset.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Hate to say this, but Janmark is looking like the odd guy out there. Ryan has pretty good numbers and is Foegle even worth sending down?

Agreed. Foegele would get claimed imo, and Ryan is our only RH C. Janmark has been pretty meh so far in pre season

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Agreed. Foegele would get claimed imo, and Ryan is our only RH C. Janmark has been pretty meh so far in pre season

Foegs claimed?

 

[5 14 6 1]

Foegs claimed?

If I was an Arizona or Anaheim I easily claim Foegele if he was waived.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

Lol Holland would be jumping if foegele got claimed.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Agreed. Foegele would get claimed imo, and Ryan is our only RH C. Janmark has been pretty meh so far in pre season

Not sure. Foegele is overpaid in covid cap year where value contracts are being signed throughout the league. With two years of money owing (this season and next), that's a healthy financial commitment for a team to make especially when there's likely another year of value contracts to be handed out and quite likely a trend where bottom Sixers get squeezed out money wise while team's pay for upper talent.

Ryan and Janmark are both expiring contracts and way cheaper. I think Janmark's been fine in camp solid NHL experience, good size and skating.

Clearing Foegel's cap and money has some solid value for this cap threshold team. If he were wavered and cleared, fine, you've got a versatile 3rd/4th line tweener in the rotation. He gets taken, this team saves valuable cap space this year and next with Holloway given the runway at 3LW.

 

[AddyTheWrath]

Nice little battle of skating between McLeod and Holloway at 2:33.

 

[nexttothemoon]

Agreed. Foegele would get claimed imo, and Ryan is our only RH C. Janmark has been pretty meh so far in pre season

I think the Oilers would be pretty ok if Foegele were claimed on waivers.

It would allow them to ice a full 23 man roster with that $2.75 million in freed up cap space...

Kane-McD-Yamo
Holloway-Drai-Hyman
RNH-McLeod-JP
Benson-Ryan-Virtanen
Janmark-Shore


Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Broberg-Barrie
Murray

Campbell
Skinner


Foegele's cap gone would then allow the Oilers to carry either a 14th forward (like shown above) or an 8th dman (like Niemelainen) for the 23rd roster player... or potentially even allow them to get a waiver wire pickup. Just gives the team a lot more flexibility to be able to use a full 23 man roster.

 

[McDNicks17]

I kind of feel like they signed Janmark thinking they had a Foegele trade in the chamber.

You'd have to talk with Janmark first, but if he were open to being moved, trading him for a late pick or something would make way for a Benson-Ryan-xxx 4th line. It'd be a bit nicer than just throwing him on waivers since he just signed.

 

[OfCorsiDid]

If I was an Arizona or Anaheim I easily claim Foegele if he was waived.

If they do that I'm sending their GMs an edible arrangement.

 

[McDrai]

Nemo has definately been better than Broberg. Why is this even a debate

Shiny new toy syndrome. If we take off the rose coloured glasses Niemo has been better than Broberg this preseason and should have a spot locked up imo. It won’t hurt to have Broberg get some more time in the AHL as he’s younger and could benefit from big minutes to give him some more confidence

 

[Rafters]

Kane-97-Yamo
RNH-29-Hyman
Holloway-McLeod-JP
Benson-Ryan-Fog

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Murray-Barrie
Broberg

Soup&Stu
Opening day lineup comes in 12k under the cap. That is the players that make the cut, lines maybe different or injuries but that’s probably It, Benson has played the best so far out the other 4th line options

 

[nexttothemoon]

Holland just needs to get "creative" and discover an LTIR injury for Foegele (and then have him back for playoffs). Maybe someone hurt his feelings at some point this summer about not living up to the cap hit and it will take until ~May for him to get over the pain and suffering that's been inflicted upon him.

 

[Broberg Speed]

Shiny new toy syndrome. If we take off the rose coloured glasses Niemo has been better than Broberg this preseason and should have a spot locked up imo. It won’t hurt to have Broberg get some more time in the AHL as he’s younger and could benefit from big minutes to give him some more confidence

Different players being groomed for different roles. I trust Woodcroft knows all about Broberg and Niemelainen. If you don't agree with that what do you think of our coach?

 

[nexttothemoon]

Here's one (pretty basic) stat that I think gives some pretty decent insight into which players the management and coaches are watching the most heavily in camp:

Simply look at which players are getting the most total ice time and you'll have a pretty good idea which players are most "in the running" for roster jobs (to open the season and shortly thereafter)...

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Total Time on Ice Rank​

[/TD]

[TD]

Player​

[/TD]

[TD]

Position​

[/TD]

[TD]

GP​

[/TD]

[TD]

Total TOI​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

Markus Niemelainen​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

71.9​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jason Demers​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

63.11667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jake Virtanen​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

59.6​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dylan Holloway​

[/TD]

[TD]

C, L​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

58.63333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

Tyler Benson​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

58.35​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Murray​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

57.48333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

7​

[/TD]

[TD]

Philip Broberg​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

56.75​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

8​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan McLeod​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

56​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

9​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jesse Puljujarvi​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

52.18333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

10​

[/TD]

[TD]

Derek Ryan​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.98333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

11​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dmitri Samorukov​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.71667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

12​

[/TD]

[TD]

Warren Foegele​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.68333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

13​

[/TD]

[TD]

James Hamblin​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.25​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

14​

[/TD]

[TD]

Devin Shore​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

49.31667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

15​

[/TD]

[TD]

Tyson Barrie​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

47.33333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

16​

[/TD]

[TD]

Evan Bouchard​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

46.11667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

17​

[/TD]

[TD]

Mattias Janmark​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

45.5​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

18​

[/TD]

[TD]

Luke Esposito​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

42.21667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

19​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brett Kulak​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

39.06667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

20​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brad Malone​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

37.15​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

21​

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Kesselring​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

36.66667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

22​

[/TD]

[TD]

Kailer Yamamoto​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

35.05​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

23​

[/TD]

[TD]

Philip Kemp​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

33.66667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

24​

[/TD]

[TD]

Xavier Bourgault​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

30.11667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

25​

[/TD]

[TD]

Greg McKegg​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

28.98333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

26​

[/TD]

[TD]

Noah Philp​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

27.53333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

27​

[/TD]

[TD]

Cody Ceci​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

26.06667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

28​

[/TD]

[TD]

Reid Schaefer​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

25.33333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

29​

[/TD]

[TD]

Darnell Nurse​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

21.95​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

30​

[/TD]

[TD]

Seth Griffith​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

21.86667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

31​

[/TD]

[TD]

Connor McDavid​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

20.78333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

32​

[/TD]

[TD]

Leon Draisaitl​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

20.63333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

33​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

17.93333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

34​

[/TD]

[TD]

Zach Hyman​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

17.61667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

35​

[/TD]

[TD]

Evander Kane​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

16.08333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

36​

[/TD]

[TD]

Alexander Peters​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

15.6​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

37​

[/TD]

[TD]

Maximus Wanner​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

13.4​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

38​

[/TD]

[TD]

Matvey Petrov​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

11.41667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

39​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jake Chiasson​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

7.5​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Now it's pretty obvious that they are going to give long looks to Virtanen and Demers as they are PTO's and sure enough... those 2 players are in the top 3 for total ice time in pre-season so far.

Way out on top in total ice time though is Niemelainen... so they obviously want to give him plenty of viewings and no doubt are comparing his readiness to Broberg (7th most ice time and Samorukov 11th most ice time).

Lots of time for Murray as well at the 6th most ice time... to see where he best fits in... as he'll logically either be the #7 dman or the #3LD on most nights.

Virtanen vs Benson... 3rd most time on the ice vs 5th most time on the ice... so there's obviously the battle there as well for an early roster spot.

Holloway getting lots of ice time... 4th most in preseason as he's pretty much a given to be on the roster to start for bonus cap reasons... but I'm sure coaches/management want to see if he's ready to stick beyond that as well.

McLeod at #8 in ice time and JP at #9 in ice time no doubt are roster locks... but exactly where on the roster they best fit at this point is up in the air... anywhere from #1RW-3RW for JP and McLeod likely gets a look on both the 4th line C spot and somewhere on the 3rd line as well (maybe even on the wing).

Derek Ryan getting lots of ice time... 10th most and 12th most is Foegele and I think those 2 are part of the debate over which might be waived due to cap considerations.


Much of this I think is obvious stuff... but I think it's at least a little revealing in looking at the players who are getting less ice time overall... those players are either dead locks for the roster OR are players with no chance at making the roster.

My speculation... Janmark is likely safe and won't even be in consideration for being waived... he's at 17th on the TOI list and they are likely comfortable with what they are getting in the player and no way they are going to risk having him picked off waivers.

Likewise... Malone is 20th in ice time... I thought he might be a contender for a league minimum cap role on that 4th line C spot... but not likely as Benson/Virtanen are the two in the dogfight for the last roster spot looking at the TOI totals.


Some may have been thinking players liked Bourgault had a long shot at a roster spot... but no... the TOI numbers (even before being sent down)... at 24th... pretty clearly showed that he had a one-way path to the AHL likely set in stone even before camp started.

Kesselring at 21st... Kemp at 23rd... same story.. no real shot at anything but an AHL job to start the season.

McKegg (25th) and Griffith (30th) were also possible contenders for a minimum cap spot on the 4th line.. but there as well... you see they were likely never really in contention according to the ice time they got in the pre-season.

I think there's a little insight there that the team sees a bit more in Hamblin over some of the other prospects in the AHL as he's 13th in ice time... although still less than the "true" contenders for roster spots... Virtanen/Holloway/Benson.



Some may say... nothing insightful here that we generally didn't already know... but I think obviously total ice time usage is probably one of the most useful indicators of who management/coaches are most on the fence about in pre-season. Those getting the most ice time are truly vying for roster spots and also the roster players from last season that are highest in icetime are the ones most likely to be waived/moved as well.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Kane-97-Yamo
RNH-29-Hyman
Holloway-McLeod-JP
Benson-Ryan-Fog

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Murray-Barrie
Broberg

Soup&Stu
Opening day lineup comes in 12k under the cap. That is the players that make the cut, lines maybe different or injuries but that’s probably It, Benson has played the best so far out the other 4th line options

Broberg is either a top-6 D or sent down. They know it would be silly to carry him as a 7D at this stage of his development

 

[OiledUp]

Here's one (pretty basic) stat that I think gives some pretty decent insight into which players the management and coaches are watching the most heavily in camp:

Simply look at which players are getting the most total ice time and you'll have a pretty good idea which players are most "in the running" for roster jobs (to open the season and shortly thereafter)...

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Total Time on Ice Rank​

[/TD]

[TD]

Player​

[/TD]

[TD]

Position​

[/TD]

[TD]

GP​

[/TD]

[TD]

Total TOI​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

Markus Niemelainen​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

71.9​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jason Demers​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

63.11667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jake Virtanen​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

59.6​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dylan Holloway​

[/TD]

[TD]

C, L​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

58.63333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

Tyler Benson​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

58.35​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Murray​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

57.48333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

7​

[/TD]

[TD]

Philip Broberg​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

56.75​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

8​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan McLeod​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

56​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

9​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jesse Puljujarvi​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

52.18333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

10​

[/TD]

[TD]

Derek Ryan​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.98333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

11​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dmitri Samorukov​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.71667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

12​

[/TD]

[TD]

Warren Foegele​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.68333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

13​

[/TD]

[TD]

James Hamblin​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.25​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

14​

[/TD]

[TD]

Devin Shore​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

49.31667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

15​

[/TD]

[TD]

Tyson Barrie​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

47.33333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

16​

[/TD]

[TD]

Evan Bouchard​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

46.11667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

17​

[/TD]

[TD]

Mattias Janmark​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

45.5​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

18​

[/TD]

[TD]

Luke Esposito​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

42.21667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

19​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brett Kulak​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

39.06667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

20​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brad Malone​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

37.15​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

21​

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Kesselring​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

36.66667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

22​

[/TD]

[TD]

Kailer Yamamoto​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

35.05​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

23​

[/TD]

[TD]

Philip Kemp​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

33.66667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

24​

[/TD]

[TD]

Xavier Bourgault​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

30.11667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

25​

[/TD]

[TD]

Greg McKegg​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

28.98333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

26​

[/TD]

[TD]

Noah Philp​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

27.53333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

27​

[/TD]

[TD]

Cody Ceci​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

26.06667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

28​

[/TD]

[TD]

Reid Schaefer​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

25.33333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

29​

[/TD]

[TD]

Darnell Nurse​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

21.95​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

30​

[/TD]

[TD]

Seth Griffith​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

21.86667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

31​

[/TD]

[TD]

Connor McDavid​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

20.78333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

32​

[/TD]

[TD]

Leon Draisaitl​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

20.63333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

33​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins​

[/TD]

[TD]

C​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

17.93333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

34​

[/TD]

[TD]

Zach Hyman​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

17.61667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

35​

[/TD]

[TD]

Evander Kane​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

16.08333​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

36​

[/TD]

[TD]

Alexander Peters​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

15.6​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

37​

[/TD]

[TD]

Maximus Wanner​

[/TD]

[TD]

D​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

13.4​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

38​

[/TD]

[TD]

Matvey Petrov​

[/TD]

[TD]

L​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

11.41667​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

39​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jake Chiasson​

[/TD]

[TD]

R​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

7.5​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Now it's pretty obvious that they are going to give long looks to Virtanen and Demers as they are PTO's and sure enough... those 2 players are in the top 3 for total ice time in pre-season so far.

Way out on top in total ice time though is Niemelainen... so they obviously want to give him plenty of viewings and no doubt are comparing his readiness to Broberg (7th most ice time and Samorukov 11th most ice time).

Lots of time for Murray as well at the 6th most ice time... to see where he best fits in... as he'll logically either be the #7 dman or the #3LD on most nights.

Virtanen vs Benson... 3rd most time on the ice vs 5th most time on the ice... so there's obviously the battle there as well for an early roster spot.

Holloway getting lots of ice time... 4th most in preseason as he's pretty much a given to be on the roster to start for bonus cap reasons... but I'm sure coaches/management want to see if he's ready to stick beyond that as well.

McLeod at #8 in ice time and JP at #9 in ice time no doubt are roster locks... but exactly where on the roster they best fit at this point is up in the air... anywhere from #1RW-3RW for JP and McLeod likely gets a look on both the 4th line C spot and somewhere on the 3rd line as well (maybe even on the wing).

Derek Ryan getting lots of ice time... 10th most and 12th most is Foegele and I think those 2 are part of the debate over which might be waived due to cap considerations.


Much of this I think is obvious stuff... but I think it's at least a little revealing in looking at the players who are getting less ice time overall... those players are either dead locks for the roster OR are players with no chance at making the roster.

My speculation... Janmark is likely safe and won't even be in consideration for being waived... he's at 17th on the TOI list and they are likely comfortable with what they are getting in the player and no way they are going to risk having him picked off waivers.

Likewise... Malone is 20th in ice time... I thought he might be a contender for a league minimum cap role on that 4th line C spot... but not likely as Benson/Virtanen are the two in the dogfight for the last roster spot looking at the TOI totals.


Some may have been thinking players liked Bourgault had a long shot at a roster spot... but no... the TOI numbers (even before being sent down)... at 24th... pretty clearly showed that he had a one-way path to the AHL likely set in stone even before camp started.

Kesselring at 21st... Kemp at 23rd... same story.. no real shot at anything but an AHL job to start the season.

McKegg (25th) and Griffith (30th) were also possible contenders for a minimum cap spot on the 4th line.. but there as well... you see they were likely never really in contention according to the ice time they got in the pre-season.

I think there's a little insight there that the team sees a bit more in Hamblin over some of the other prospects in the AHL as he's 13th in ice time... although still less than the "true" contenders for roster spots... Virtanen/Holloway/Benson.



Some may say... nothing insightful here that we generally didn't already know... but I think obviously total ice time usage is probably one of the most useful indicators of who management/coaches are most on the fence about in pre-season. Those getting the most ice time are truly vying for roster spots and also the roster players from last season that are highest in icetime are the ones most likely to be waived/moved as well.

Nice post. I think you make very valid points but would add that for the guys who are locks it might also be about preference. Some guys just want the odd game to tune up. Others like to feel their way into the season and want more games to get going. Euro players are often used to playing a bunch of preseason games before they get going so some euros like to play as many games as possible before the real games start because that's what they're used to.
That's also a reason why it's important to not draw too much from these games. A lot of players use them purely to find their groove and will never play well because they're trying things out or focusing on micro parts of their game which will hurt overall performance. It's different for guys fighting for jobs of course.