Canada Sport News

Kris Knoblauch strengthens Oilers' depth with potential addition of Warren Foegele
  • 2024 Stanley Cup Final - Oilers vs. Panthers, Game coverage - preview
    •

    Kris Knoblauch strengthens Oilers’ depth with potential addition of Warren Foegele

    SUNRISE, Fla. — Sunny, with a chance of Foegele.

    If Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has taught us one thing during this Stanley Cup run, it is that it doesn’t matter how much depth you have if you never actually use it.

    And so he spiced up his bottom six in the Oilers final full practice before Game 1 of this Stanley Cup Final, inserting left winger Warren Foegele on the fourth line. Foegele was a healthy scratch for the final three games of Round 3.

    “Whether he comes in for Game 1 or whatever, we will see him sometime in the lineup,” said Knoblauch, who has become less forthcoming with his lineup changes as each round has passed, on Friday. “He provides us a little bit offence, scoring 20 goals this season and 41 points. Also, he’s just another guy who adds some more speed to our team.”

    Foegele’s first-ever 20-goal season has not translated to the post-season, where he has just a goal and three points in 15 starts. He is one of the Oilers fastest forwards, however, and combined with good size (6-foot-2, 204 pounds) he can bring some bang to Edmonton’s forecheck.

    2024 Stanley Cup Final: Oilers vs. Panthers


    Keep up with the latest news and analysis from the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers and look to end Canada’s championship drought. All games can be watched on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

    Full coverage

    Here are the Oilers lines at practice Friday:

    RNH-McDavid-Hyman

    Kane-Draisaitl-Holloway

    Janmark-Henrique-Brown

    Foegele-McLeod-Perry

    Ekholm-Bouchard

    Nurse-Ceci

    Kulak-Broberg

    The Foegele move would leave the Oilers with a lineup missing both Derek Ryan and Sam Carrick, a pair of interchangeable fourth-line centres, but more importantly two right-handed faceoff men.

    “We took (Foegele) out of the lineup, which wasn’t easy for us to do after the year he had, but it’s nice to have the opportunity to put him back in,” Knoblauch said.

    On defence, it appears the Oilers will reunite the Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci pairing, and with an overload of left shots, they’ll ask young Philip Broberg to play the right side on a pairing with Brett Kulak.

    More from Sportsnet
    Can Oilers’ defence lead the team to a Stanley Cup win?


    Oilers shrug off any concerns about Panthers’ physicality

    The Edmonton Oilers have been making some strategic moves this offseason to bolster their roster and add depth to their lineup. One potential addition that could greatly benefit the team is the acquisition of forward Warren Foegele from the Carolina Hurricanes.

    Foegele, a 25-year-old winger, has shown great promise in his time with the Hurricanes. He is known for his speed, physicality, and ability to contribute offensively. In the 2020-2021 season, he recorded 10 goals and 10 assists in 53 games, showcasing his versatility and scoring touch.

    By potentially adding Foegele to their roster, the Oilers would be strengthening their forward depth and adding another dynamic player to their lineup. Foegele’s style of play would complement the Oilers’ fast-paced, high-scoring offense and provide them with another weapon to utilize on the ice.

    Additionally, Foegele’s playoff experience could prove invaluable to the Oilers, as he has proven himself to be a reliable performer in high-pressure situations. In the 2019 playoffs, he tallied 5 goals and 4 assists in 15 games, demonstrating his ability to elevate his game when it matters most.

    Overall, the potential addition of Warren Foegele would be a smart move for the Edmonton Oilers. His skill set, experience, and work ethic would make him a valuable asset to the team and help them compete at a higher level in the upcoming season. Fans can look forward to seeing how Foegele’s presence impacts the Oilers’ performance on the ice.