Edmonton Oilers News

Nashville Coach Barry Trotz slightly backed off his hard stance on rookie defenseman Mattias Ekholm. One day earlier, Trotz said Ekholm was “absolutely horrible” against the Canucks. “He’s going to be a really good player, let’s get that straight,” Trotz said Friday. “He’s not a bad defenseman, he’s going to be a real good one, but he has to learn the North American game and adjust.”

Although coach Trotz hedged on his earlier comments regarding Ekholm, it likely means he draws out of the lineup the next time the Preds hit the ice. For the most part, the Swedish defender remains on the roster because of his options overseas. Jack Hillen probably becomes the sixth defenseman as Ekholm gets his feet wet in a smaller rink.

Mattias Ekholm
There’s a possibility that Trotz could insert rookie defenseman Mattias Ekholm into the lineup for Thursday’s home opener. Ekholm was unavailable for Saturday’s game against St. Louis after catching the flu Friday.

Ekblom could fill in for Teemu Laakso on the blue line tonight. Last season he scored 10 goals and 33 points through 55 games with Brynas IF Gavle of the SEL. He could boost the team's offense from the third defensive pairing.

Mattias Ekholm
In Edmonton’s 2-1 shootout victory to open the 2011-12 season, rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t just have a strong game, he was dominating. He scored the crucial tieing goal late in the game, but more than that, of the Oilers’ 18 scoring chances, RNH made significant contributions to 12 of them, an astounding total.

Probably a safe pick to grab if still available in your league. His center-only position is the only thing that may hurt his immediate fantasy hockey value.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The Nashville Predators have finalized their opening day roster and in spite of what Mattias Ekholm's agent reported earlier, it appears that he will start the season in the NHL.

Ekholm sticks in the NHL as a bottom-pairing defender. Last season he scored 10 goals and 33 points through 55 games with Brynas IF Gavle of the SEL. Look for him to get his feet wet at the NHL level.

Mattias Ekholm
Henrique, 21, thinks it’s a good sign that he’s playing again, but knows nothing is guaranteed yet.

Henrique looked like a shoe-in to make the team out of training camp but has since fallen on the depth chart with Petr Sykora's re-emergence. Last season, the former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils. He shoudl be NHL ready so expect to see him in a Devils' sweater at some point this season.

Adam Henrique
If Red Deer Rebels’ coach Jesse Wallin was holding to a faint hope that Nugent-Hopkins could be back in his No. 9 sweater with the Western Hockey League junior team, he can probably forget it, at least for the start of the Oilers season with Sam Gagner out with a sprained ankle.

Nugent-Hopkins could stick for longer than nine games if Gagner fails to return by then. If so, expect a similar rookie season to Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle -- somewhere around 15-20 goals and 40-45 points -- while playing on one of the top two lines.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Henrique, who will play again Saturday against the Islanders, centered a line with Tedenby on his left wing and veteran tryout Petr Skyora on his right side tonight. He ended up playing 14:57 for the game.

With the injuries down the middle, Henrique figures to make the team out of camp. Last season, the former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils. Look for him to center the third line until Zajac returns.

Adam Henrique
Rookie Adam Henrique is getting a look centering a line with Mattias Tedenby and Nick Palmieri on his wings.

The Devils may deploy a 'kid line' with Travis Zajac slightly depleting the team's depth. The former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils.

Adam Henrique