September 24,
2007
The Future of Oil Country
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com
Things look pretty bleak for
the Edmonton Oilers this season and with the Anaheim Ducks
owning their first-round pick in 2008 (likely a Top 3
selection), next year may not be any better.
However, judging by the performance of the kids in training
camp, it will certainly be fun to watch this group grow
together as a team. It looks as if the name of the game will
be offense. Fantasy enthusiasts will not mind that in the
least.
From Andrew Cogliano to Zach Stortini, here's a breakdown of
how the Edmonton prospects are doing, along with speculation
and odds of sticking this season.
Kyle Brodziak
Future third-line power forward is having a very strong camp
and showing a surprising touch around the net. His four points
in three games are tempered by his minus-3 rating. There is
too much competition up the middle for Brodziak to make the
team this year and he will likely be one of the final cuts.
Odds: 40-1
Andrew Cogliano
The diminutive speedster started slowly but has impressed more
and more with every game and now leads the team in preseason
scoring with five points in three games. He will compete with
Gagner and Schremp for the first-line center job (Jarret Stoll
will be on the second line and Shawn Horcoff will be third
line, it looks like). Cogliano has the inside track here and
he will at minimum play nine games this season (the maximum he
can play without his contract kicking in).
Odds: 3-2
Sam Gagner
Probably Edmonton's best prospect and he, along with Robert
Nilsson and Cogliano, has been one of the best performers in
camp. He has really clicked with Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner
and could possibly get a nine-game audition to start the
season, but it is doubtful that he will stick as an
18-year-old.
Odds: 7-1
Tom Gilbert
He's ready and his camp has been decent, but competition is
fierce. The Oilers already have a pile of offensive
rearguards. It does not look good. Odds: 20-1
Denis Grebeshkov
The best offensive rearguard in the preseason, Grebeshkov has
two points in three games. He will almost certainly stick.
Odds: He's in.
J-F Jacques
His play has not overly impressed and has even been lackluster
at times. With the competition in camp, Jacques will need to
become more noticeable or more prospects will step over him on
the depth-chart ladder.
Odds: 60-1
Robert Nilsson
By all accounts, Nilsson has been a great addition on the
second line, clicking with Raffi Torres and Stoll. He'll be on
the team this year and should produce in the 40- to 50-point
range, with upside.
Odds: He's in.
Ryan O'Marra
A likely third-liner in the future, the responsible, two-way
player is coming off off-season knee surgery and his start in
camp has been somewhat slow. He needs a couple of seasons in
the AHL.
Odds: 60-1
M-A Pouliot
He's third on the team in shots and he played 47 games for the
Oilers last season. He has that going for him and he has not
really looked out of place. He will likely stick, but it is
looking more and more as if he may not have a future as a
scoring line standout in the NHL.
Odds: 3-2
Rob Schremp
Not bad, but not great. Schremp will likely need another
season in the AHL to hone his defensive game. We all know he
has the moves, but there is no way he gets on the team ahead
of Cogliano or Gagner. He, too, is recovering from offseason
knee surgery and the team is taking it slow with him. He will
be a late-season call up.
Odds: 40-1
Zach Stortini
The tough guy has had a strong camp and has even provided some
offense. The loss of Fernando Pisani (ulcerative colitis)
opens up a spot on the right side that Stortini will likely
fill.
Odds: 2-1
Patrick Thoresen
It hasn't shown on the scoreboard, but the Norwegian has
played a wonderful game in all the other areas of the game.
He'll likely make a fine third or fourth line addition to this
team.
Odds: 2-1
Slava Trukhno
It was thought that he was a few years away yet, but his camp
has been a good one and he has even chipped in three points.
He's competing for a left wing spot with Jacques and Thoresen
(and Pouliot has seen some time there), so he's in tough. This
year.
Odds: 10-1
For more
fantasy tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com
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Dobber's
Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at
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