The Edmonton Oilers revamped their roster during the off-season, bidding farewell to players like Warren Foegele, Ryan McLeod, Philip Broberg, and Dylan Holloway while welcoming new faces such as Jeff Skinner, Ty Emberson, Viktor Arvidsson, and Vasily Podkolzin. This influx of new talent has sparked intrigue about potential line combinations.
Early glimpses from the team’s first on-ice practice sessions offer hints about defensive pairings that could see ice time when the season begins. Brett Kulak and Josh Brown have been skating together, while Darnell Nurse has been paired with newcomer Ty Emberson.
The Nurse-Emberson pairing is particularly interesting, as many experts predicted the Oilers might explore this combination. The Oilers seem ready to give Emberson a chance to showcase his abilities.
Emberson’s previous performance with the San Jose Sharks, a team not as strong as the Oilers, suggests he could excel alongside more skilled teammates. However, true potential is often revealed through experience and exposure to different in-game scenarios. The Oilers seem poised to provide Emberson with ample opportunities to prove himself.
Last season, Nurse tallied 32 points in 81 games, averaging 21:54 minutes of ice time. His primary defensive partner was Cody Ceci. Emberson, on the other hand, played only 30 games, recording 10 points and averaging 18:33 minutes per game for the Sharks.
As training camp progresses, the Oilers’ coaching staff will continue to evaluate pairings, and a clearer picture of their defensive strategies will emerge.
