Oilers NCAA prospects update

[Terry]

Written by: Guy Flaming on 02/12/2008

This year the Edmonton Oilers have seven players honing their skills both on the ice and in the classroom at various NCAA programs. Of that group it would be fair to say that two are at one end of the development spectrum while the other five are at the other.

Edmonton has three freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors split among four forwards and three blueline prospects. Although there are no seniors in the mix, arguments can be made that a few of the players might be ready to make the jump to the pro ranks before next season.

Hockey’s Future spoke with Bob Mancini who is currently the Player Development Coach for the Oilers. Mancini is a former NCAA head coach having been on the bench for Ferris State University and Michigan Tech, which was preceded by a four-year playing career with Colorado College. Mancini is also credited with being one of the architects of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, which has successfully produced a plethora of current NHL stars.

www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10192/oilers_ncaa_prospects_update/

[nick39]

sounds like our D is just going to keep getting better. I love that chorney is a smart shooter from the point.. kinda ray bourque style.. not a big slapper but always gets the puck through..

[Juice]

We definately need to start dumping contracts. If any of these guys decide to leave college at seasons end we can't sign them.

Then they go back into the draft and we can lose them.

[Terry]

Salaries will be dumped during the off-season. There's too many that won't be on the big team anytime soon. Maybe, they'll be signed to AHL contracts if they can't find a team elsewhere.

[Terry]

Robby Dee and Matthew Glasser aren't looking too promising. Although Dee's a freshman and he's had some injury problems. Both of them are on the bubble and may only become minor leaguers, if they turn pro.

Riley Nash sounds like he could be a good find, considering he's leading team rookies in scoring by a huge margin.

Chorney, Petry and Wild will all be solid NHLer's, IMO, unless something happens along the way.

[nick39]

I dont think im too worried about not having room for them.. there are quite a few contracts that we will be able to rid ourselves of...