Mixed reviews for Oilers facing Flames backups
Let’s go to Calgary for a game while all of the Flames are in China!
What seemed like a good idea at the time, wasn’t.
Scheduling a road game against the team that wasn’t even in the country resulted in little more than an AHL exhibition, with the bottom half of Edmonton’s training camp roster taking on some guys wearing Flames sweaters.
It was spirited and entertaining (sloppy games usually are), but in terms of evaluation, the 7-4 victory didn’t offer anything we hadn’t already seen in rookie camp.
Teams are required to dress a minimum of eight NHL veterans for pre-season games, but the Flames got an exemption from the NHL because none of their players are on the continent and got away with three (Logan Shaw, Justin Falk and goalie David Rittich).
So, judging how any of his players might perform against NHL competition wasn’t an option for Oilers coach Todd McLellan, given there wasn’t any NHL competition anywhere near the Saddledome.
Still, there was plenty to talk about when it was over, good and bad, at both ends of the spectrum.
BAD START. BIG FINNISH?
How do you like me so far? Newly acquired US$2.5 million backup goalie Mikko Koskinen made his Oilers debut — and it wasn’t good.
This is where much of the excitement and curiosity centred heading into the game, so you can understand the uncomfortable wince when he whiffed on his first shot, letting a pedestrian wrist shot from Dillon Dube squeak through his six-foot-seven frame just 23 seconds after the opening faceoff. Doh!
The second period went sideways in a hurry, too, with Dube scoring from behind the goal-line 36 seconds after the puck dropped and then completing the hat trick on a breakaway at 4:13 as Koskinen allowed three goals (two of them bad) on his first 15 shots.
He called it a night after two periods, stopping 16 of 19 shots. All in all a rocky night for the backup, who looked understandably rusty at times in his first game in North America since 2012.
He is going to be a controversial signing until he proves he is worth the investment. His debut didn’t do anything to silence the questions.
Kailer Yamamoto will often appear underwhelming on the ice because he doesn’t play the flashy, blinding speed game typically associated with players who weigh less than their hockey bags. But he is sneaky good. And if you give him time and space he can hurt you. Ask the Flames.
He began his pitch for a spot on the big club with two goals, both on breakaways, and an assist.
McLellan had him on the ice for a first period penalty kill and the resulting short-handed goal, under the far post on a breakaway, was a thing of beauty.
The sense is he is destined for AHL Bakersfield unless he forces his way on the team. Granted, this was against minor leaguers, but more games like this one and he’ll be giving them something to think about.
BENSON’S BRIGHT NIGHT
It was a big night for the prospects. In addition to Yamamoto’s three points, Evan Bouchard and Ethan Bear added singles and Tyler Benson delivering a strong two-assist outing.
Benson took another step in his stunted development. He is finally playing without injury and is looking good so far. He sees the ice like a seasoned pro.
Keep an eye on second round pick Ryan McLeod, whose stretch pass set up the second Yamamoto goal. He’s been very good in every game dating back to rookie camp and was again in a two assist effort.