Two Players Nose Ahead at Oilers Camp
October 1, 2023
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October 6, 2023
October 1, 2023 by Ryan Lotsberg
The Edmonton Oilers released Brandon Sutter from his professional tryout offer on Sunday. Sutter also announced his retirement from professional hockey. The 34-year old was attempting to make a comeback after missing the last two seasons as a result of long COVID. Sutter finished his NHL career with 152 goals, 137 assists, and 289 points in 770 NHL games over a thirteen year career with the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vancouver Canucks.
GM Ken Holland said that “…if [Sutter is] anywhere close to where he was in his prime, he’s exactly what we’re looking for.” Sutter is a big, right-handed centre that can win draws and kill penalties. Nick Bjugstad was exactly that for the team last season. Sutter’s attributes would’ve been great for the Oilers.
It was certainly worth a chance, but Sutter’s game just wasn’t where it needed to be. Sutter got into three games for the Oilers this preseason. He got an assist on a play where the puck glanced off his skate after he whiffed on a great rebound opportunity. He had five shots in the first game, but none in the other two. I was surprised to see that he had five shots because it didn’t look like he did much in that game to my eye.
Sutter was on the ice for two goals against on the penalty kill, and he took a terrible tripping penalty on Elias Pettersson that led to a five-on-three goal against. He did win faceoffs though. He won 64%, 54%, and 54% of his faceoffs in his three games. Ultimately, just winning faceoffs wasn’t enough. His hockey IQ was still intact and he seemed to be in the right position often, but his legs and conditioning just weren’t there.
It’s an unfortunate ending for Sutter. It’s always tough to see when a player loses his career due to injury or sickness. I have all the respect in the world for Sutter for trying to come back. It was nice to see him play his last game in Vancouver, where he spent his last six seasons playing.
Sutter’s departure leaves three players in contention for the twelfth and final forward spot: Lane Pederson, Raphael Lavoie, and Adam Erne. Erne is lagging behind the other two in my opinion. I see this as a two horse race. I wrote about this in further detail this morning.
Related: Two Players Nose Ahead at Oilers Camp
There are three games left for these players to fight for a roster spot. The Oilers play the Seattle Kraken in Seattle on Monday, then they host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night, and the Kraken on Friday night.
4 Comments
This really shouldn’t actually have an impact because, as we’ve seen through 5 exhibition games (3 played by each of Sutter and the others in the conversation for 12F) the current version isn’t anywhere close to the 28 year old Brandon Sutter that management was fantasizing about. Management talked about the 31 year old Brandon Sutter but that player was barely handing on to an NHL career as he was often injured and, when playing, getting shredded as the 3C/4C in Vancouver.
All the best to Brandon and his family – from his few interviews, he seems like a good kid but he’s not an NHL hockey player any longer.
This SHOULD cement Raphael Lavoie’s spot as 12F even though he is not a center. Lane Pederson continues to show what he has through his prior organizations, he’s an offensive player that can’t produce offence at the NHL level. He skates well and seems to be “in the picture” quite a bit but simply can’t bear down in offensive situations. The opportunities that Lavoie has received are dwarfed by Pederson who has (a) had real NHL linemates for 2 of his 3 games, (b) was given a ton of PP time (2nd most in the game last night), (c) was on for the 5 on 3 earlier and (d) even got a shootout attempt.
He’ll be a great center for the Condors.
Lavoie has been up and down in camp (as he does) but his first game was impactful and, after a meh start to last night’s game, he came on in the 3rd, energized by his goal, banged some bodies, retrieved pucks, etc.
This is a no-brainer, right?
This is interesting. Part of me wonders if they’ll send Lavoie down due to the role they’re looking to fill. He’s shown promise to move up the depth chart and he’s just not quite there. Do you think he’d benefit from a 4th line role on the Oilers? That’s why I’m leaning towards the organization keeping Pederson and seeing how that goes first. However, I do agree Lavoie has proven himself to be the best player for the 12F role.
I think Lavoie has separated from Pederson and Erne but the organization really does want a center so Pederson still has a chance. Of course, the only thing he’s got going for him is that he plays center – he doesn’t kill penalties, he isn’t big, his speed is fine but not a stand-out skill, he’s not a great 2-way player. He’s just, well, Tyler Benson in the middle.
The 4th line isn’t ideal for Lavoie, nope, but if he shows to be the best of the bunch and the org can get past the craving for a “true center”, I would hope they don’t expose him to waivers (he very well could clear but there is risk).
Fair thoughts on Pederson. Pederson has been placeholding for McLeod all camp. He’s been getting top powerplay minutes, and I don’t think he’s in the conversation for second unit powerplay time over Kane, McLeod, Holloway, etc. They could be getting his used to the way the team runs the powerplay so he can run it in Bakersfield. Pederson has an xG% of 59.97% in the preseason, he’s got 9 shots in four games, he’s got 8 hits too. He’s doing everything a fourth line centre should do, but he’s an offensive player that isn’t scoring.
Meanwhile Lavoie has outshot Pederson 8-4 at even strength in 19:21 less ice time! Lavoie had that awesome shot on Demko last night too. Lavoie looks like he has the defensive details figured out. He’s got He closes on puck carriers quickly with his long reach and his speed. He’s faster than I thought he would be. I don’t think it’s a no brainer for Lavoie yet, but there’s a strong case to be made for Lavoie.