Still room for either Tomasino, Afanasyev, or Davies on this roster -- maybe some youth can break through.

I really want to see all three of those guys break through. Maybe Tomasino takes Rocco's spot and Davies could come in for Boro at some point? I think it would take some moving around to get Egor in. Maybe trade Cousins to a contender for a 4th or a 5th, move Jeannot to the 3rd line, move Trenin to 4th line LW and slot Egor in at 4th line center? Injuries will play a role at some point this season without a doubt, so I'd like to see those guys take advantage of any opportunities they may get.

It feels like Tomasino is gonna be on the team to start the year (though he hasn't blown me away). We'll see if he's still there after 9 games though. And I think Afanasyev finds his way on the team by the end of the year -- and maybe Novak -- after they trade a few guys out, like Cousins and/or Grimaldi. Same for Davies when/if they trade Boro or Benning. It just may be closer to the end of the season that we see the youth take over.

Olivier is still waiver exempt. I’d pass him down and let him play in MIL if he’s going to be in the pressbox. Bring him up should one of the 4th line get injured.

I’m not a fan of keeping onto Grimaldi and Cousins but I fear it will happen. Either way we could have Tomasino in and scratch Grimaldi.

I’d love to let Davies get some games in but I think Boro is going to start the season. Davies will get a chance but with the 3 young and inexperienced RHD Boro will likely get the nod due to his age/experience. That said we’d have enough room to hold onto Rittich and have a fall back plan should Ingram struggle in the backup role

Novak had a great camp. I’m kind of surprised he got sent down so early in the process.

Agreed.

I thought he, along with Afanasyev, were the best borderline forwards at camp/pre-season. Davies on defense too -- really impressed.

Very true, and I'd like to see that youth movement like I said. I just hope Poile holds on to Fil and Ekholm. They are key pieces to this team, and trading those guys by the deadline means no more "competitive rebuild" that he's talked about recently, in my opinion. Especially Filip Forsberg. Of course they could get all kinds of assets for him, but he's 27 years old and easily our best goal scorer.

Moving on from Ekholm would be best in my opinion. He’s entering the point in his career where dmen really begin to regress. Forsberg… I still tend towards trade simply because I don’t think this is going to be a cup competitive team for Atleast 2-3 seasons which puts Forsberg near 30…. But due to him being younger now I’d be fine with extending him.

Forsberg a injury history also gives me pause. Not sure how well he’s going to age

FYI the Oilers don't need a goalie.

FYI the trade detials literally say "not necessarily to the Oilers, just to any team that needs goalie depth." Literally just clicked the Oilers becuase that's the team my mouse was hovering over.

Ekholm has just been such a big part of this team for so long now that it would really be hard to see him go. It's just emotional attachment honestly. With Fil, he's the best goal scorer on this roster, and this roster's biggest problem is goal scoring outside of Fil, when he's healthy. It would be a lot longer than a couple seasons before we are competitive again if they trade Fil, or if they keep him for this season and he decides to sign elsewhere.

I know, I read it. That's why I wrote "FYI". Just so you know.