BLOG: Oilers depth about to be tested

EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers depth is about to be put to the test.
Fresh off an enthralling third period comeback against the New York Rangers, the Oilers lineup is once again getting thrust into chaos.
Ryan McLeod was placed on IR after his three-assist performance
, while Warren Foegele has missed the last two skates due to an undisclosed malady. They join the Oilers growing injury list at forward with Evander Kane and Kailer Yamamoto, who have already missed an extended time.
However, there are no excuses in the Oilers dressing room with familiar and unfamiliar reinforcements making their way to Edmonton from Bakersfield. A pair of local products in Tyler Benson and James Hamblin were recalled on Sunday night, with Hamblin expected to make his NHL debut against the Panthers.
"What an opportunity it is for some people. I think every player craves more, they want to play more, and they want to play more on privileged ice time on special teams, that type of thing," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said.

While most coaches would be put at a disadvantage having to integrate new players into the team, Woodcroft has the luxury of having managed the Oilers squads at both levels. The coach has had his hands on almost every Oilers call up, to help mould them into the player they are now.
"When there are injuries, what happens is it's that next man up philosophy, but ice time has opened up and I think it's important to make sure that we're not asking anybody to be anything they're not," Woodcroft said about the call-ups. "We just wanted them to bring what separates them as a player to the table this evening and there is ice time available, so we're open for business on who wants it."
Zach Hyman is familiar with what an opportunity can mean to an AHL call up. The undrafted Toronto, Ontario native made his NHL debut for his hometown team back in 2015-16, much like James Hamblin will tonight. His 16-game showing was enough to help secure a roster spot with the Leafs for the following year, and the rest is history. Hyman now suits up for his 443 NHL game tonight, but it all started with that first opportunity.
"You can take advantage of it and make a good showing for yourself, become an NHL player. You have young guys coming up from an American League, guys who don't have that many games," Hyman said. "Holloway just got his first goal, so guys are going to have more of an opportunity to make a name for themselves, so it's exciting for them."

For the guys who are still in the lineup, the goal doesn't change. Edmonton has a difficult test at home against a Florida Panthers team likely looking to avenge their November 12 loss to the Oilers. The "next man up" mentality is a must for a team looking to build off their New York performance.
"It's tough seeing a few guys get hurt, especially like Clouder and Foegele, they're great guys in the room that just bring energy. They're great players that work hard, do the little things right, and their line was humming in New York too," Stuart Skinner said about the injuries. "It's obviously a tough loss, but we have good guys coming in and it doesn't change my job. It doesn't change anybody else's job. We've got work to do, and everything stays the same. We're just missing two players, and it's tough to see, but we got a job to do."