Halfway through preseason, the Edmonton Oilers have started to sketch out a few things - and they’ve also reminded everyone not to get too comfortable with any of it.
The clearest sign so far is Isaac Howard working his way into the top nine. Mike Babcock has had Howard skating beside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, which is a notable spot for a player who had already drawn a mixed review from his coach earlier in camp. Howard followed that up with more than 17 minutes against Winnipeg, though he didn’t register a shot in a game where Edmonton managed only 18 as a team.
“It was just a gritty game. There wasn't a ton of chances either way.
I think we just stuck with it,” Howard said. “I didn't think there was a ton going on that game.
It was just a simple game.”
Howard has already talked about becoming a full-time NHL player, wanting the puck more and simplifying things when he doesn’t have it. Hyman has also praised the work Howard has put into the details that come with playing in the NHL. That’s still the story with Howard at this point: he’s in the conversation, but he’s not finished proving where he belongs.
Another early camp surprise has been Colton Dach at centre. It’s an unusual look, but Babcock has used him there with Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph, and the line was his favourite in Edmonton’s 5-2 win over Winnipeg after scoring an empty-net goal.
“I was hoping for Docker big time today,” Babcock said. “We need him to be a player, and for him to play the way he did in his first exhibition game this year, playing in the middle… I didn't know if I had put him in a bad spot, to be honest with you. But I was so happy with that line.”
Formenton’s role has come into focus quickly. He scored on a breakaway in his first preseason game, had another stopped, and later drew a penalty after getting behind Winnipeg’s defence.
“Pretty good, eh?” Babcock said.
“I mean, what a difference maker he's going to be for us. An elite penalty killer, puts pressure on the other team.”
Ryan Shea has also made his case. He was beside Evan Bouchard for 22:31 in Edmonton’s first preseason game and finished with a goal and two assists. Shea played 39 NHL games last season, and while he may not have expected to be next to Bouchard already, that pairing has given him plenty of ice in the first half of camp.
Viljami Marjala has been one of the more productive young players in the group too. He scored the overtime winner against Winnipeg, and if he doesn’t stick around, he’s at least forcing himself into first-call-up territory. Connor Clattenburg is in that same general conversation, though his path is tied to getting healthy first.
Clattenburg was called up by Edmonton last season and said during rookie camp that the Oilers are “just looking for the next guy up,” with the club already dealing with injuries before September is even over.
In goal, Devon Levi has a real opening while Frederik Andersen is injured. Levi stopped 22 of 23 shots against Winnipeg in his first preseason start. He arrived at camp behind Andersen and Tristan Jarry, but Andersen’s injury gives him a chance to show he should stay in the picture over Jarry if he uses the opportunity well.
So halfway through preseason, the outlines are there: Howard is in the top nine, Dach is handling centre duties, Shea is beside Bouchard, Marjala is producing, Levi is getting starts, and Clattenburg is waiting to get healthy.
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