Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch announces training camp roster cuts

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Finnegan Frost
September 24, 2024 (10:52)

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With the 2024-25 NHL season rapidly approaching, it's time for Kris Knoblauch to make some tough decisions.

The Oilers have played three preseason games so far, and some of the Oilers prospects have been having notable performances. The Oil kicked off their preseason with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets, but got smacked last night against the Calgary Flames in a split squad showdown.

After the Calgary loss, Knoblauch broke the news that the preliminary roster cuts will be made, with more scratches to be dished out in the coming days.

According to Liam McCormick form Oilers Daily, The Oilers currently have 50 skaters and 7 goaltenders at training camp, and many of the players being sent down now will be minor leaguers for the rest of the season - if not their whole careers.

All players being sent home now were expected to be heading home early as very young junior players. Forwards William Nicholl, Connor Clattenburg, Dylan Wakely, and goalie Nathan Day were sent down to their respective CHL teams.

A few Oilers may also earn an extended look as the top prospects in attendance. Players like Raphael Lavoie, Noah Philp, and Matt Savoie could be playing for a spot on the NHL roster. All of those players and more were early standouts in the first game.

Among the other notable performances have been 2024 1st round draft pick Sam O'Reilly, and Russian forward Vasily Podkolzin. Both prospects have been turning heads so far during the preseason for the Oil.

As hard as it is sending young players down to the minors, it's part of the job. Head coach Knoblauch has his eyes set on a building another Stanley Cup calibre roster, and the clock is ticking.

source: Oilers Daily
Oilers announcing first training camp cuts after losing split squad games