Oilers Defensive Depth Chart **UPDATED**

Below is a chart of how I see the defensive depth from the NHL locks to the guys likely to get a look at camp for NHL or AHL duty.  They are listed by handedness they shoot. This should be a good guide for anyone trying to make their pairings for the NHL or AHL teams.





The players closer to the top of the list are closer to being NHL regulars for the Oilers compared to others that shoot with the same handedness.  This is an important note because the NHL quality depth is different for each side shooting, thus, I have a colour system to distinguish that.

Shoots Left	Shoots Right
Ryan Whitney	Tom Gilbert
Cam Barker	Jeff Petry
Theo Peckham	Colten Teubert
Ladislav Smid	Corey Potter
Andy Sutton	Alex Plante
Taylor Chorney	Taylor Feduin	LEGEND
Martin Marincin	Johan Motin	NHL locks
Brendon Davidson	Kyle Bigos	Fighting for NHL Job
	Jeremie Blain	AHL or back to Jr.

Some Thoughts:

•  The left handed shooters are a stronger crop than the right handed shooters, though we have close to even numbers of both. 

•  All 4 defensemen taken by the Oilers in the '11 draft shoot left too. 

• The group is grittier and bigger than groups of the past.

• There are no Paul Coffeys here.  No Drew Doughtys.  Skill is at a premium.

• Defensive zone coverage still looks shaky from most of this group and several players have foots-speed issues.

• The defense as a whole lacks the overall quality of depth that the forwards have, but with a few years of development they could be strong enough.

• Taylor Chorney needs to clear waivers.  Jeff Petry does not.  I prefer Petry because he shoots right and is imo the overall better player.  That said I'd like to see Petry get minutes. 

• Bryan Helmer ( R ) is signed to an AHL contract and should log some quality min. in OKC.

Oilers Forward Depth Chart

EDIT: Troy Hesketh's rights have been let go by the organization, or so I've herd.  He may be in the mix to play for the Oil Kings this upcoming season.