The Edmonton Oilers hold big guns out of optional workout, extend Ty Emberson ahead of rematch with L.A. Kings

The Edmonton Oilers practiced in San Jose Saturday, before heading to Los Angeles in advance of Game One of what has become an annual playoff affair between the two clubs. And there was a veritable firehose of news, on Evander Kane, Trent Frederic, John Klingberg, Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson.

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First, some context: I will be presenting a fresh format for these “practice day” articles which are heavy on the element of breaking news as opposed to longer and perhaps more nuanced takes. It instead will be a rat-a-tat-tat of facts punctuated with quick and to the point editorial comments on the coaching staff’s decisions and potential motives. We will also include select comments from coach’s and players as they are germane to the observations. Those comments will show up in this way…

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Coach Kurt: To the key decisions apparent at these ice sessions, I will attach my somewhat subjective reactions below the observable lineup on that day (above). Your views may differ, but that is the point…fun and informed debate on what may or may not translate to the Oilers lineup on game nights through the post-season.

O.K., now to today’s late breaking news…

Saturday, April 19 Optional:

-On the ice:

F: Vasily Podkolzin, Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen, Mattias Janmark, Derek Ryan, Max Jones.
D: Brett Kulak, Ty Emberson, John Klingberg, Cam Dineen, Jake Walman, Josh Brown.
G: Calvin Pickard.

Observed Lines, Pairings & Goaltenders from Friday, April 18 full practice:

Zach Hyman – Connor McDavid – Connor Brown

Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Viktor Arvidsson

Jeff Skinner – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Adam Henrique

Mattias Janmark – Kasperi Kapanen – Corey Perry

Trent Frederic – Derek Ryan – Evander Kane, Max Jones

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Darnell Nurse – Evan Bouchard

Brett Kulak – Jake Walman

Ty Emberson – Josh Brown

Cam Dineen – John Klingberg

Stuart Skinner – Calvin Pickard

Not on the ice: Mattias Ekholm, Troy Stecher (both back in Edmonton).

Coach Kurt says:

-Let us agree up-front that it is likely these lines and pairings from Friday will change before Monday night. They do with all clubs. But Kris Knoblauch seems to have a considerable propensity to do so. We should not assume any of this is in stone. Having said that…

-It should not be a surprise that the Oilers are putting a premium on rest. It is such a valuable commodity during the post-season. It is a surprise that neither Evander Kane nor Trent Frederic are taking the option, as they endeavor to return from injuries? Might say the same for Stecher, who is not on the trip but skated in Edmonton this morning. So, positive but sounds like later in the series, if he can, though. As for the players closer to returning…

-On Evander Kane specifically, Knoblauch says that the power forward is very close to being cleared. But the coach described his availability as “very close for Game One”.

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-On Frederic, as per the excellent Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, Frederic could be an option for Game One. From Frederic: “I’d like to think so, yeah. I guess we practice tomorrow (Sunday) and we’ll see from there. He added “I’m excited when I get in there”, and that he would “play physically, play hard, bring energy (and) I think hopefully chip in offensively”. From Knoblauch: “Any time we have a player like Trent who can come in, he’s gonna help whenever he does come into your lineup”.

-John Klingberg will come off LTIR prior to Game One. Coach Knoblauch says Klingberg will be an option. For those worried when they saw Josh Brown in the “six” spot on Friday, this may be better news for them. Brown is a rugged defender, but Klingberg a far superior skater, puck mover. Which do you need more versus L.A.? Knoblauch on Klingberg: “He’s been cleared, he’s good and he is an option for us. We have to decide on how we’d run our D-pairs, on righties and lefties, and seeing who gives us the best for the group that we need”.

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-Knoblauch would not confirm who would start in Goal in Game One. Knoblauch: “We have confidence in both goalies”, and “I believe we’ll most likely see both goalies through the playoffs, we did last year”.

-Bigger picture, from Knoblauch: “Ultimately, its going to come down to us playing hockey, playing a simplified, hard-working game and trying to capitalize on any mistakes we force L.A. into”.  On any concerns about a lack of chemistry due to injuries leading up to the post-season: “I think maybe that’s a little over-rated”, referring to uncertainties they faced as they headed into the post-season as well.

-Prior to today’s session, the Oilers announced that they had come to terms with D Ty Emberson on a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.3M. He was a pending RFA. He is currently carrying a cap hit of $950,000. Expiry status is UFA (via PuckPedia). In 2024-25, Emberson was 2-11-13 and -5 in 76 GP. 18 PM. Emberson” It’s super exciting for me. It’s something you always work toward. Something I’ve tried to do every day is just get better consistently. For them to put trust in me for the next two years I think is big and I’m excited about it”.

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More to come…

Game One is Monday in L.A.

Now on Bluesky @kurtleavins.bsky.social. Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social. This article is not AI generated.

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In Loving memory of Bruce McCurdy – October 13, 1955 – April 1, 2025.

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