For a number of Edmonton Oilers, their game just isn’t NHL-ready.
Whether they’re prospects or journeymen, they’re all working on their game, and this season will be no different.
Here’s a quick word on each of the players that were cut from the Oilers training camp roster.
Samuel Jonsson: Will his strong ECHL play translate to the next level?
Nathaniel Day: His regular-season ECHL stats last year were week, but he stepped up in the playoffs. He’ll likely see fewer minutes in the AHL.
Beau Akey: I wonder if he’d be an NHL option now if his development hasn’t been stunted by injury.
Simon Tassy: His last name is very close to my wife’s maiden name. She was very confused. (That’s right, I have a wife.)
Zach Bookman and Sam Sjolund: The Oilers got lots of looks at them last year at the NCAA’s Western Michigan University, where they were a defensive pairing last season. Played on the same team as Zack Sharp, acquired in the Darnell Nurse deal.
Josh Brown: One year left.
Riley Stillman: AHL depth.
Eduards Tralmaks: Call-up candidate.
Tomas Cibulka: Strong skating and smarts are his calling card. Could he play NHL games?
Connor Clattenburg: Less fighting, more puck play, and it won’t be long until we see him as an NHL regular.
Quinn Hutson: He might be one of those “too good for the AHL, not good enough for the NHL” kind of guys.
Viljami Marjala: Had a great AHL debut last year, and a strong pre-season game against the Jets has him in the call-up conversation.
William Nicholl: Expectations are low this season as he cuts his teeth in the pro ranks.
Aku Raty: A recall candidate.
Rhett Pitlick: Cousins with Oilers legend Tyler.
James Stefan: Son of Patrick.
Brady Stonehouse: I don’t know any of his family members.
Damien Carfagna: A player I’ll be looking for to take a jump.
Eemil Vinni: What’s his first year of pro hockey going to look like? Who knows, but his stats last year in Finland’s second league.
Connor Ungar: He’ll get some deserved run in the AHL.
Rudolfs Berzkalns: You can see why the Oilers liked him.
Caden Harvey: Didn’t get any pre-season action, but already has two goals in his first OHL game of the year.
David Lewandowski: Returns to the Saskatoon Blades after a weird summer where nobody knew where he’d play. Two goals and four points in two games so far is a good sign of further progression.
Andrew Robinson: Similarly to Harvey, didn’t get any pre-season action. Will be curious to track him.
Seth Griffith: A good, AHL vet.
Josh Samanski: If he’s a right-shot, he’s likely in Edmonton. I thought he’d earned a better outcome after a strong showing last year, but with him being waiver-exempt, him playing in the AHL is better than riding pine as the 13th forward.
Zach Laing is the managing editor at Daily Faceoff Edmonton and news director at The Nation Network. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
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