Diana: Training camp is around the corner, and the Oilers have more questions than answers. Who survives the final cuts?
Adam: And who's going to be watching from the press box? We're breaking down the battles that will define this roster.
Diana: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Oilers Nation! I'm Diana, joined by my guy Adam. We're here to dive deep into the roster battles that will shape Edmonton's season.
Adam: And we're starting with the crease. Because after the Andersen signing, that goaltending picture is a lot murkier than people think.
Diana: That's right. Today we're breaking down three things: the battle for the crease, the forward logjam, and the defensive shakeup after the Nurse trade. Stick with us.
Diana: So Adam, let's get into it. The Oilers signed Frederik Andersen to a one-year deal, but they also have Connor Ingram, Tristan Jarry, and Devon Levi on the roster. That's a logjam if I've ever seen one.
Adam: It's a crowded crease, no doubt. Andersen is the veteran, but he's 36 and just helped Carolina to the Cup Final. Ingram had a solid year in Arizona, Jarry's a former All-Star, and Levi's a young guy with upside.
Diana: So who's the starter? We predicted yesterday that Andersen gets the nod against Vancouver. Are you sticking with that?
Adam: I am. He's the proven guy, and you don't sign him to sit. But the backup spot is wide open. Ingram vs. Jarry vs. Levi – that's a real battle.
Diana: And what about Connor Ungar? He's on the roster too. That's five goalies! Something's gotta give.
Adam: Ungar's probably headed to the AHL. He's young and needs playing time. The real competition is for the backup role, and I think Levi might be the odd man out.
Diana: Levi? He's got potential, but he's still raw. And with Andersen on a one-year deal, they might want to develop him.
Adam: Exactly. But you can't have him sitting in the press box. He needs games. So he might be traded or sent down. Meanwhile, Jarry's got the pedigree, but Ingram's been more consistent lately.
Diana: So you're saying Ingram could steal the backup job?
Adam: I think it's his to lose. He's younger, cheaper, and played well in Arizona. Jarry's had injury issues. But training camp will tell.
Diana: Alright, so we've got Andersen starting, Ingram backing up, and Jarry and Levi fighting for the last spot. That's a lot of moving parts.
Adam: And it's the most important battle. Because if Andersen goes down, we need a guy who can step in. The Pacific is too tight to have a hole in net.
Diana: Good point. Now let's shift to the forward group. Because the Oilers have a ton of centers, and some of them are going to have to move to the wing.
Diana: We've got McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, plus guys like Henrique, Janmark, Lazar, and a bunch of young kids. That's a logjam down the middle.
Adam: It's a good problem to have, but it's a problem. McDavid and Draisaitl are locks at 1C and 2C. RNH can play center or wing, but he's probably better on the wing now.
Diana: So who's the third line center? Henrique? He's a veteran, good defensively, can win faceoffs.
Adam: Henrique's a solid option. But you also have Dickinson, who's a shutdown guy. And then there's Savoie, who's a young guy that needs a spot.
Diana: Savoie's more of a winger at this level, right? He's small, but he's got skill.
Adam: Right. He could slot in on the wing. But then you've got guys like Podkolzin, Kapanen, Joseph – they're all fighting for top-nine minutes.
Diana: And don't forget Zach Hyman. He's a lock on the top line, but after that, it's wide open.
Adam: Hyman's the engine. But the second line? You could put Draisaitl with Podkolzin and Kapanen. They've got speed and can finish.
Diana: I like that. But what about the fourth line? You've got Janmark, Lazar, and a bunch of guys like Colton Dach and Owen Michaels. They're all fighting for a spot.
Adam: That's the grind line. Janmark and Lazar are likely locks. The third guy could be a young guy like Dach or a veteran like Frederic. Trent Frederic's a big body, can play physical.
Diana: So the forward battle is about who's going to be the extra forward. There's going to be some tough cuts.
Adam: Absolutely. You've got guys like Samanski, Tomasek, Tralmaks – they're all AHL-bound probably. But it's about who makes the opening night roster.
Diana: We'll get to predictions in a bit. But first, let's talk defense. The Nurse trade changed everything. They brought in Mukhamadullin and Sharp, but they also have guys like Walman, Murphy, and Emberson.
Adam: Right. Losing Nurse hurts, but it also opens up a spot. Bouchard and Ekholm are your top pairing. Then you've got Walman, who can play big minutes. Murphy's a veteran, and Emberson is young and physical.
Diana: Why the groan?
Adam: Because I'm not sold on the left side after Ekholm. Walman can be inconsistent, and Murphy's more of a right-shot guy. They're going to need someone to step up.
Diana: So who's the third pairing? Stastney, Shea, maybe one of the new guys?
Adam: That's the battle. Spencer Stastney has some upside, but he's unproven. Ryan Shea is a depth guy. And Mukhamadullin is coming over from the Sharks – he's got skill but needs to adjust.
Diana: So the defense is a work in progress. But with Bouchard and Ekholm, they've got a solid top pair.
Diana: Now let's get to the fun part: making the cuts. Adam, who's on the bubble?
Adam: Up front, I think Colton Dach and Owen Michaels are on the bubble. They need to impress in camp. But they're young, so they might be better off in the AHL getting big minutes.
Diana: What about Max Jones? He's a winger, but he's been around. He's got size, but he's never quite put it together.
Adam: Jones is a guy who could be a fourth-line energy guy or he could be waived. It's a coin flip.
Diana: And on defense, who's trending down?
Adam: I think Ty Emberson needs to show more. He's physical, but he's got to be better in his own zone. If not, he could be the odd man out.
Diana: And who's trending up?
Adam: Jake Walman. With Nurse gone, he's got a chance to be a top-four guy. He's got a good shot and can move the puck. I think he steps up and plays big minutes.
Diana: So what's your final roster prediction? Who's in and who's out?
Adam: I think the goalies are Andersen, Ingram, and maybe Jarry as the third. Levi goes to the AHL. On defense, Bouchard, Ekholm, Walman, Murphy, Emberson, and Stastney. Shea is the extra.
Diana: And up front?
Adam: McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, RNH, Henrique, Janmark, Lazar, Podkolzin, Kapanen, Joseph, Frederic, and maybe one of the young guys like Dach or Savoie. But it's tight.
Diana: So you're predicting some tough cuts. Who's the biggest surprise cut?
Adam: I think Devon Levi gets sent down. They need to give him starts, and he can't get them here. That's my bold call.
Diana: Interesting. And what about the opener against Vancouver? We said Andersen starts and they win 4-2. Still feeling good?
Adam: I'm still confident. Andersen's got the pedigree, and the offense is too good. McDavid will get his points.
Diana: Alright, that's our show for today. To recap: goaltending is a logjam, forward depth is a strength, and the defense is a question mark after the Nurse trade.
Adam: And we've made our predictions. Andersen starts, Ingram backs up, and Levi goes to the AHL. But camp will tell.
Diana: Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with your fellow Oilers fans. And as always, let's go Oilers!
Adam: See you next time.