
All that's left are the cuts.
A few weeks back I made my pre-camp predictions of what I expect the opening night roster to look like. For the most part, I still agree with the 25 names I listed. There might be a name or two different in the end, but no really huge surprises.

Mark Reners was outstanding early on during the inter-squad game and the pre-season tournament but I'm told he has come back down to earth since then. He didn't do much in Lacombe on Friday to get me excited.

I have also really gotten to enjoy watching Cole Benson. I'm a bit of a sucker for the little guys who overcome and beat the expectations at this level and I think Benson can be one of those guys. He hustles every shift and he's got skills to go with his defensive awareness.
That said, I wonder if a veteran might lose his spot. With both Travis Ewanyk (EDM) and David Stephens sidelined at the moment, maybe Bob Green has a bit more time to make a decision. However, are guys like Colton Stephenson and Rhett Rachinski locks for the opening night roster? I'm not so sure.
On the back end, there is no longer much doubt who the top 7 will be; Mark Pysyk (BUF), Keegan Lowe (CAR), Griffin Reinhart (2012), Martin Gernat (EDM), Mason Geertsen (2013), Ashton Sautner (2012) and Ryan Dech. That leaves Braeden "Bunny" Laroque on the outside looking in, but that's according to me and not the team.
There might still be question marks in net, simply because of injuries. Laurent Brossoit didn't go to Penticton with the rest of the Calgary Flames prospects because of a groin issue. No word on how serious it is but it kept him out of the Red/White game so it's been with him off and on for much of training camp.

Groenheyde is basically fine, I spoke with him in Lacombe and he described how a high Rhett Rachinski slap shot caught him by surprise. According to the netminder, he wasn't able to breath for about 30 seconds as his larynx seized up after taking the puck. Groenheyde said he instantly ripped off his mask and bolted towards the bench waving frantically for trainer Brian Cheeseman and shortly after he was able to start breathing again. The goalie was whisked away via ambulance to the University of Alberta hospital to get checked out and stayed there for about 8 hours before being released. He'll be re-evaluated early next week, more for precautionary reasons, but I'm told he should be good to go for Edmonton's season opener on the 25th in Red Deer.
So my previous predictions only need a slight alteration. With injuries to Ewanyk and Stephens up front, that means Edmonton can keep the other 13 I predicted plus Baddock. When guys start coming back to the line up, then Bob Green will have to make a couple decisions.
Notes:
- I'm just guessing but I won't be surprised to see Groenheyde get the start on the 25th and wouldn't be stunned if Tristan Jarry is dressed as the back up. With so much riding on Brossoit's shoulders this year I don't see any reason to risk playing him until he is 100% ready to go. Having not played in much preseason action or in the NHL rookie tournament, he might be a bit rusty too.

- Tough start to the season schedule for Edmonton with 8 of their first 10 games on the road. Plus the team will make stops in both Medicine Hat and Kootenay, both are traditionally difficult buildings for Edmonton. Also on the road trip are dates in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon.
- If you thought a difficult start would mean and easier finish in the schedule, you'd be wrong. Edmonton's last seven games of the year: Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, @ Red Deer, Red Deer, @ Kootenay, @ Medicine Hat and @ Red Deer.
- With the 2012 World Junior Championship being played in both Edmonton and Calgary, the Oil Kings and the Hitmen will be on the road. To make up for it, Edmonton has an 11-game home stand from November 25th to December 18th.
- The 5 clubs in the U.S. Division only come to Edmonton every second season so circle those dates on the calendar this year: Portland is here on October 21st, Everett October 26th, Seattle November 5th, Spokane November 29th and the Tri-City Americans invade Rexall on January 25th.

- And finally, in case you hadn't heard, the Oil Kings have dropped ticket prices this year. We've been on them since 2007-08 for what we felt were unfair costs on seats so it's only fair to give the team credit for this decision. Seats that used to be $29 are now $20 and the $25 seats are now $17. (Walk up prices are a couple bucks more). Last October I did a cross Canada comparison for junior hockey ticket prices and it didn't work out so good for Edmonton, but these new costs are now right in line with the other NHL markets.
(Photos: Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oil Kings, Harry Scull Jr. / Buffalo News)
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