In an Edmonton Oilers information and rumors replace, there may be lastly an replace in regard to the commerce talks that embrace Jesse Puljujarvi, an Oilers veteran has been recalled, Ethan Bear has been lights out and the goaltending tandem of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen is creating questions for coach Dave Tippett.
Sam Gagner is Again
Sam Gagner has been recalled and Gaetan Haas has been despatched to the AHL. Jason Gregor of TSN is reporting that is for the two-game highway journey in Winnipeg and Minnesota however will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Gagner sticks.
Edmonton Oilers ahead Sam Gagner and Arizona Coyotes defensemen Jason Demers (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Gagner’s demotion was a little bit of a shock. He was taking part in successfully in preseason however among the youthful guys confirmed effectively. That mentioned, Gagner was instructed whereas being despatched all the way down to embrace a management function and count on to be referred to as again up. It took solely eight video games.
If Gagner contributes on offense, he might keep because the Oilers haven’t had a lot contribution from the depth scorers, relying totally on 4 key offensive powerhouses.
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Motion on the Jesse Puljujarvi Entrance?
NBC Sports activities’ Joe Haggerty writes that the Boston Bruins need to enhance their offensive depth past the highest line. He believes two cheap choices on the market are Edmonton’s Jesse Puljujarvi and New York Islanders’ Joshua Ho-Sang. The plan right here can be to assist them become the top-six choices many suppose they are often.
That’s a long-term play.
The place issues are actually getting attention-grabbing in relation to Puljujarvi, are the stories coming from Pierre LeBrun of TSN and a report from Fansided in regards to the workforce Puljujarvi performs for in Finland.
Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi, and Philadelphia Flyers’ Ivan Provorov (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matt Slocum)
Omar Abdelgawad Karpat of Fansided’s Cardiacane.com notes that Karpat has simply signed 28 yr previous Finnish ahead Julius Junttila. Hypothesis is that he’s being introduced in to switch Puljujarvi when he heads again to North America.
If that’s the case, meaning Karpat is beneath the impression Puljujarvi could be leaving and Pierre LeBrun notes that Carolina has been kicking tires on Puljujarvi, doubtlessly providing up Julien Gauthier and a few draft picks.
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Can Ethan Bear Hold It Up?
One of many shiny spots of this younger season is the play of prospect defenseman Ethan Bear. A participant on the verge of being despatched again to Bakersfield to start out the season, he’s been on hearth in Edmonton and been a serious contributor to the blue line.
With Joel Persson and Adam Larsson out, Bear is getting ample alternative to point out his stuff and he’s been a shiny spot for coach Dave Tippett who has been impressed with the teenager.
The Oilers have a robust file however the knock is that they’re about to go up towards some extra highly effective NHL franchises and, in fact, many pundits don’t imagine they will stick with it. For gamers like Bear, will probably be essential to show he will be efficient towards all varieties of NHL groups.
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Particular Groups Main the Manner For Edmonton
One of many questions everybody appears to be asking is, ‘How are the Oilers 7-1-Zero?’ One of many fast solutions is particular groups.
Regardless of not scoring on the facility play towards Detroit, they Oilers nonetheless lead the NHL at 47.1% and their penalty kill ranks sixth, having lately dropped down just a few spots. One factor to look at for is the quantity of possibilities the Oilers are permitting whereas down a person. They’re nearer to the underside of the standings in Fenwick possibilities towards which suggests the goalies have been bailing them out a bit.
Talking of Oilers Goaltenders…
Is there a debate in Edmonton as to who the starter is? If that’s the case, at the very least the query isn’t a detrimental one.
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen corrals the puck in entrance of New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (AP Picture/Kathy Willens)
Mikko Koskinen has been lights-out good during the last two video games and Mike Smith has been glorious in his begins exterior of some questionable moments the place he performed the puck too usually. Koskinen deserves the beginning towards Winnipeg on Sunday primarily based on his play however Tippett has mentioned he’d rotate his guys and has been deciding primarily based on a “really feel” that day.
It is a good downside to have and one the Oilers had hoped for once they signed Smith this summer time.
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