While it has not been a perfect start to the season, the Edmonton Oilers have been collecting points at an impressive rate. The winning ways have kept a lot of knee jerk reactions away, satiating a lot of would-be critics. As a result, the rumour mill has been fairly quiet concerning the Oilers.
All the same, let’s take a look at the news around the league in this week’s rumour roundup.
Levi and the Oilers goaltending
It seems that Oilers goalie Devon Levi will miss a few weeks with an injury. It is tough news for Levi, who had grabbed hold of the starters job early in the season. Naturally, the hope will be for a quick return for Levi and that he is able to recapture his early season form.
In the meantime the Oilers will have to rely heavily on Tristan Jarry. It will be a tall task given that the hope was that a lighter workload could bring the best out of Jarry. Matt Tomkins has been recalled, a veteran AHL option who has not exactly played his way into the promotion. Of course, he might be able to spot the Oilers a game or two, but the plan is likely to ride Jarry as much as possible until Levi returns.
In the AHL Tomkins’ promotion might offer an opportunity. Connor Ungar has yet to receive a starter’s workload in the AHL, so a good stretch could help him slingshot his career. It also gives Nathaniel Day a good chance in his first AHL action, where he has impressed early on. Day is likely too young and unproven to get an NHL shot, so some strong performances from Ungar is the more likely way for Tomkins to be usurped as the fourth option.
Even deeper down, Samuel Jonsson and Emil Vinni will have more opportunities in the ECHL. Both could be playing in better leagues overseas, but instead started the season in a three pronged ECHL timeshare. Day, Jonsson, and Vinni are all in their early twenties, so the extra developmental opportunities are useful.
Injuries still haunting the team
The Oilers continue to accrue injuries at forward. Even as Jason Dickinson nears return, Zach Hyman might be missing more time. The Oilers depth has been tested, perhaps exacerbated by the Oilers deploying Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together.
Of course, key forwards like Hyman, Dickinson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Matthew Savoie missing time has also weakened the group’s overall effectiveness. Concerns about the Oilers control of play should be tempered by the injury reality.
In the meantime lots of depth forwards will have a chance to prove themselves and build some chemistry. Isaac Howard drew praise from Coach Mike Babcock recently, and perhaps an offensive spark higher in the lineup could serve as a needed catalyst. Filip Hallander is looking to gain some traction. Colton Dach has been more impressive as the season has worn on. Babcock will have a lot of options, though they are unproven options.
Miroshnichenko on the radar?
The newest feature in the league-wide rumour mill is Washington Capital winger Ivan Miroshnichenko. A former first-round pick, Miroshnichenko has impressed in his brief NHL action. Elliotte Friedman speculated that the Egor Chinakov price of a second and third-round pick would be an appropriate approximation of a trade price.
Especially given the Oilers forward depth, Miroshnichenko could be an interesting gamble. An early audition higher in the lineup could be a great launchpad for the young winger, and a healthy Oilers lineup could be even more dangerous. His low cap cost makes the potential deal intriguing, though the Oilers have not been linked to Miroshnichenko specifically.
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