Extra questions than solutions with new spherical of waived Edmonton Oilers gamers

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This in from the Edmonton Oilers, their newest roster strikes: “Calvin Pickard, Phil Kemp, Cam Dineen & Brad Malone have been positioned on waivers for the aim of project to the Condors.”

My take

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1. There are extra questions than solutions with this newest spherical of cuts. Malone, Kemp, Dineen and Pickard weren’t critical contenders to make the workforce, as Gleason had moved nicely forward of Kemp and Dineen in the course of the preseason. Janmark appears to be doing nicely at centre, and Lane Pederson is holding his personal, making Brad Malone unlikely as nicely. However why not ship out Markus Niemelainen as nicely? He light in his previous couple of exhibition video games.

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2. Extra questions: Is Ben Gleason the Ty Rattie of this exhibition season or extra of the true deal? Plenty of Oilers gamers in latest reminiscence, most notably the veteran Rattie, had been excellent in exhibition video games, solely to crumple within the common season. Gleason has performed extraordinarily nicely up to now. He’s defended and moved the puck with ability. He seems to be like an NHL participant. However is he one?

3. What’s the actual well being standing of Ryan McLeod, Brett Kulak and Mattias Ekholm? Will one in every of them go on Lengthy Time period Injured Reserve, placing them out of motion for 10 video games and 24 days, and releasing up cap area so the Oilers can preserve round gamers like Pederson, Gleason and Raphael Lavoie?

4. Has Mattias Janmark completed sufficient at centre to solidify his place because the workforce’s fourth line centre? I believe he can get the job completed in his personal finish, however he’s by no means been a lot good at faceoffs. His greatest 12 months was final season, when he didn’t take many, simply 59, and received simply 44 per cent of them. He’s a profession 38.3 per cent. May he immediately left that to 48 or 49 per cent?

5. Has Raphael Lavoie completed sufficient to have earned a spot within the High 12 forwards? He’s been getting higher because the preseason has gone alongside, however he’s nonetheless discovering his option to make an impression.

6. Has Adam Erne completed sufficient to earn a contract? I’m on the fence. He hasn’t outplayed Lavoie. Nor can he play centre like Pederson.

7. Can Lane Pederson get the job completed defensively? I’ve seen some slip-ups, however such errors aren’t unusual for any participant. However I’m but to see any certainty he will be the sort of defensive stalwart he must be to make it within the NHL.

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