CUTS: Oilers Assign 15 To Bakersfield, Roster Now At 45

The Oilers have made their first big wave of 2018 training camp cuts today.

Here’s a quick rundown of who’s headed to Bakersfield

FORWARD

Mitch Callahan

Braden Christoffer

Luke Esposito

Dave Gust

Colin Larkin

John McFarland

Evan Polei

Cameron Hebig

Ryan Van Stralen

Tyler Vesel

DEFENCE

Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin

Logan Day

Jake Kulevich

Jared Wilson

GOAL

Stuart Skinner

ANY SURPRISES?

No. The first big wave of cuts sees no surprises, and the Oilers will still need to trim their roster by an additional 22 players before the season begins.

NOTABLE SURVIVORS

Forward Ryan McLeod had three points in last night’s 7-4 win over Calgary. He’ll remain for another game or two.

Defenceman Evan Bouchard will probably be a decision made closer to the regular season. He had a goal in last night’s victory in Calgary.

I’ve got Kailer Yamamoto making the club for half the year or more.

Goaltenders Dylan Wells and Shane Starrett remain in camp. They join Cam Talbot, Al Montoya and Mikko Koskinen. It wouldn’t be unheard of, but the Oilers may roll with 3 netminders at the beginning of the season until they get comfortable with two that they really like. I’d be shocked if it Mikko Koskinen wasn’t one of them, but if he doesn’t grab the reins quickly, look out. The Oilers rolled with three netminders eight years ago when Jeff Deslauriers, Martin Gerber and Devan Dubnyk started out 2010-11.

The Oilers are in Vancouver to take on the Canucks tonight. I’d expect another wave of cuts to come after Thursday’s match against the Winnipeg Jets at home.