Oilers GM hints at reduced role for defenceman, may be cut from roster
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers RAW
The Edmonton Oilers are heading into next season stacked with talent on the blue line, which could leave Ty Emberson as the odd man out from next year's roster.
The Oilers acquired Emberson in trade last offseason in exchange for Cody Ceci, and brought the 25 year old in for regular NHL minutes after playing only 30 games with the Sharks. It went well for the first half of the year, then Emberson began to fall out of the lineup.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman suggests Ty Emberson is not ready to be a playoff player
Speaking to the media last week, Oilers GM Stan Bowman said he had a meeting with Emberson, and communicated that he needs to take a step to become a playoff player. For now, they believe he can do it.
If you look up until the playoffs, Emberson had a really good season. He really established himself as an NHL player, and I expect him to build on that.
I had a good meeting with Ty at the end of the year, and I think he feels more confident than he did walking in last year. He knows he's an NHL player, and certainly wants to be a playoff player too. I think he's ready to take that step.
- Stan Bowman
I had a good meeting with Ty at the end of the year, and I think he feels more confident than he did walking in last year. He knows he's an NHL player, and certainly wants to be a playoff player too. I think he's ready to take that step.
- Stan Bowman
As it currently stands then, the Oilers frankly don't see Emberson as a playoff player. Emberson skated in just 9 playoff games, and never played more than 9 minutes after Game 2 against LA.
If the Oilers don't see Emberson as a playoff option, that may threaten his spot on the roster with more competition in training camp.
Ty Emberson will still have to compete with Troy Stecher for ice time next year, along with Alec Regula and Atro Leppanen pushing for roster spots. Stan Bowman only personally brought in the latter two players, and has strong belief they can be NHLers.
Perhaps the Oilers will have to make a trade to alleviate the logjam with their blueline depth, but it's also possible Leppanen returns to Europe if he doesn't make the NHL.
Either way, Emberson will have to quickly show some improvements in the fall, or he could find himself as the odd man out.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 12 | 372 ANSWERS Oilers GM hints at reduced role for defenceman, may be cut from roster Do you think Emberson will make the NHL team next year? | ||
| Yes | 196 | 52.7 % |
| No, the others could overtake him | 176 | 47.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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