Rookie watch: Yamamoto earning respect with Oilers

GOTHENBURG, Sweden --Kailer Yamamoto is not your typical 5-foot-8, 153-pound forward looking to create offense from the perimeter.

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The Edmonton Oilers right wing isn't afraid to skate to the tough areas to generate opportunities. Linemate Milan Lucic (6-3, 231) has taken notice.
"When you look at the little skilled guys, a lot of times they aren't scoring in the paint," Lucic said. "But if you look at his goals, whether last preseason or this preseason, a lot are dirty goals. He's not afraid to get into those areas, and from playing with him he does a good job of creating and using his linemates."
Yamamoto had seven points (five goals, two assists) in six preseason games and had three assists and 23 shots on goal in nine regular-season games last season, the most games he was permitted if the Oilers didn't want to burn the first season of his three-year entry level contract. He was returned to Spokane of the Western Hockey League for a fourth and final season.
The experience Yamamoto gained was invaluable, and he's determined to earn an extended stay with the Oilers this season. He had two shots on goal in 15:48 of ice time in a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the 2018 NHL Global Series at Scandinavium on Saturday.
"I have a different mindset this year; I feel more confident," Yamamoto said. "That's the one real takeaway from last year. I feel a lot more comfortable and confident in my game and I can elevate my defensive zone (play), which is looking good right now. There are still a few other things I can improve on, like my offensive game."

Another impressive preseason, with nine points (six goals, three assists) in six games, has given the Oilers an even more optimistic outlook for Yamamoto.
"I see a maturity level that's greater than what it was last year at this time, and physically he's changed," coach Todd McLellan said. "He's put a little meat on his bones and has gotten a little stronger. Mentally he's a little more comfortable in and around the team."
Yamamoto has played on a line with center Leon Draisaitl and Lucic to begin the season and they have been generating quality scoring chances. Yamamoto has shown a lot more confidence and zest in creating offense.
"They're two tremendous players and it's a lot of fun to play with them," Yamamoto said. "They open up a lot of space and maybe we can get some more chemistry going and it'll be good."
Draisaitl, who was second on the Oilers with 70 points (25 goals, 45 assists) in 78 games last season, quickly has adjusted to Yamamoto.
"He had a very successful preseason, and he's obviously a smaller guy but he doesn't play to that size," Draisaitl said. "I think he plays a lot bigger than he is. Usually the challenge is the strength going against big guys but I don't think that's the case with him. He's pretty feisty and strong for how small he is. I think he makes up for that height with his feistiness and that style of play."
The Oilers last season controlled 60.69 percent of all shots attempted at even strength with Yamamoto on the ice, and his average shot length was the least of any Oilers player at 18.9 feet.
"He's 20 years old and you're able to put him out there on the penalty kill too, so that just shows that he understands the game from a defensive aspect," Lucic said. "When he has that already his game will only escalate because at this level it's hard to teach defense and he kind of has that instilled in him already. I think it'll be a good start for him in his first full pro season and I'm excited to see what he can bring to this hockey club."

Yamamoto was selected by the Oilers with the No. 22 pick of the 2017 NHL Draft. Some NHL scouts compared his skating ability to Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (5-8, 183), who, like Yamamoto, is from Spokane, Washington.
"What's interesting is last year the team really took to him and he was kind of the young, small guy and players appreciated having him around," McLellan said. "Now they look at him as a teammate and they treat him a little bit differently, maybe a little more seriously. That's not a negative towards [Yamamoto] or our group but it shows me that he's maturing and the group has matured with him."