Fraser's Edmonton Oilers 2009-10 Preview

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

I will be previewing all 30 NHL clubs. I will be looking at their available salary cap room, the additions and deletions from the 2008-09 rosters, and where I think they will stack up in their division and conference for the 2009-10 season. 

Let's get a move on with the Edmonton Oilers, which play in the Northwest Division and the Western Conference.

The Craig MacTavish era is over in Edmonton and Harvey the Hound no longer needs SPCA protection while doing his thing at the Saddledome.  For the first time since joining the NHL back in 1979, the Oilers will be led by a non-Oiler alumnus. 

It will now be up to G.M. Steve Tambellini, New Head Coach Pat Quinn and New Associate Coach Tom Renney to lead the Oilers back into the Western Conference playoffs.  The Oilers have missed the playoffs during the past three seasons.

The Oilers have always been built on the premise of speed and skating ability first.  The organization is littered with good young players that if they ever reach their potential could bring back memories of the ‘80s in Alberta’s Capital City.

It was thought that Quinn would not be a fit in Edmonton because he liked a more veteran line-up.  However, over the last seasons, he has been able coach both of Team Canada’s entries in the 2008 IIHF World U-18 and the 2009 IIHF World U-20 Hockey Championships to Gold Medals. 

Is Quinn the man to lead the Oilers back to the Promised Land?  To quote the new Head Coach, "I like skilled teams. You can't all be foot soldiers who dump it in and bang the puck. Move and use the skills you have. Lose it and be damn gritty to get it back."

Let’s take a look at the ‘09-‘10 version of the Edmonton Oilers.

Significant Additions

The unrestricted free agent deals that were signed to join the Oilers this season are as follows: Nikolai Khabibulin (Chicago), Chris Minard (Pittsburgh), Dean Arsene (Washington) and Matt Nickerson (Sweden, formerly with the Dallas Stars). 

Significant Deletions

The unrestricted free agents that have moved on from Edmonton are: Kyle Brodziak (Minnesota), Ales Kotalik (N.Y. Rangers), Dwayne Roloson (N.Y. Islanders), Mathieu Roy (Columbus) and Dany Sabourin (Boston).

Remaining Oilers, who have yet to sign a deal with another franchise, are: Sebastien Bisaillon, Carl Corazzini, Stephane Goulet, David Rohlfs, Tyler Spurgeon and Bryan Young. 

Rob Schremp remains the only Restricted Free Agent that the Oilers still have to decide what they want to do with this asset.

The Oilers currently have 19 players under one-way contracts; ten forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders.  The most likely four two-way contracts to start the season in Edmonton are; Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Gilbert Brule and either Liam Reddox or Steve MacIntyre.

The Oilers current Salary Cap sits at $55.6 million with these 23 players on the opening day roster.

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