RIGHT-WING STRATEGY
Caggiula part of Oilers’ plan
One of major concerns (fears?) heading into Edmonton Oilers training camp this season is on the right side, where Jordan Eberle is gone, Leon Draisaitl has been relocated to centre, Anton Slepyshev is injured, Ryan Strome is a question mark, Drake Caggiula is a sophomore adjusting to another new position and Jesse Puljujarvi is a rookie.
Other than that there’s nothing to worry about.
“Our unknown comes on the right side, especially with Slepyshev injured and Strome coming in as a new player,” said head coach Todd McLellan. “So the right side is the wild card position on our team right now.
“I’m confident it’s going to work out, but there are moving parts. Those parts can move up and down lines, they can move back to other positions. Those pieces are moving all the time and they still need to be sorted out.”
One of the parts they ’re counting on out of the gate is Caggiula, who played left wing and centre last season. His second day of scrimmage was a step up from the first as he fit in well with Milan Lucic and Draisaitl, scoring a nice one-timer.
“I didn’t think he was particularly strong the first day,” said McLellan. “I thought his best day was (Sunday). He really picked it up and had a little spark to his game.
“It’s different when you’re on the boards on the opposite side, but he’s got a quick release he’s a puck-hungry player who can hound and hunt pucks down for the other two and he seems to find holes at the right time. If he’s doing those things we think he’ll be OK over there.”
Caggiula has come a long way quickly during his time in Edmonton and knows the opportunity in front of him is something he needs to take advantage of.
“I want to make sure that I take it and run with it,” he said.