Oilers open pre-season vs. Flames

Despite the outstanding performance of Connor McDavid, and a decent game from our goaltenders, I ask the question: how is our defense looking?

The first one we’ve seen this year was a doozy.

Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie has suffered a broken bone in his right hand and is expected to miss three to six weeks. All the more reason to stockpile depth on the blue line. “With defencemen, it’s when to challenge, when to stay between the dots, little things like that”.

“We’re going to have to learn to play together, all of us. Communication is going to be the No. 1 thing – and if we communicate well, we’re going to be fine”. He also had five points in 11 post-season games. Accordingly, keeping elite company is nothing new for the soft-spoken Hamilton. What I love about Sekera is the fact that he blatantly stated that he is here to play hockey and is here to make this team better. “It’s going to take some getting used to, but I’m confident in my abilities and I believe in myself”.

Nilsson stopped 17 shots – including a penalty shot by Frolik late in the second period – to help backstop the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Monday night in a split-squad pre-season game. With that in mind, it stands to reason that McDavid might be playing with those two when he’s projected to make his true National Hockey League debut on October. 8. McLellan’s former team, the San Jose Sharks were a regular season power house, much like the Washington Capitals of previous times, and then they would falter in the playoffs. It depends on how other teams perform, really.

Last week, Hamilton was shepherded around town by Flames forward Joe Colborne, also a former Bruins first-round draft choice. About halfway through the game, the Oilers put Laurent Brossoit in for Talbot, and he was immediately bombarded by high quality chances – including one that got in.

“The good news, if you can take any, is that he won’t need any surgery”, Treliving said. “We’re excited to have him”. As for Gryba, I think he’s an extra for Edmonton this season.

“It’s obviously an adjustment, but it’s exciting”. It’s kind of my move but hopefully I have a couple more. “I’ll do my best and see what happens”.