Creating competition is the next-best thing the cap-strapped Edmonton Oilers can do to win: 9 Things

Training camp is the greatest time of year. The 2022 Edmonton Oilers Training Camp is inspiration for this week's 9 Things.  Creating competition is a good idea for the Oilers. They need to win to keep their cap-strapped team afloat.

Ryan Smyth and Lee Fogolin are the first two new members of the Oilers Hall of Fame. Bill Hunter is the father of this franchise. Charlie Huddy won 5 Edmonton Stanley Cups with the team.

Jason Demers and Jake Virtanen are in camp. They are expected to play 3 of the next 4 exhibition games.

Edmonton won the 2022 edition of the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, B.C. with a 3-and-0 record.

Reid Schaefer scored a goal in the rookie tournament. He has been playing with Connor McDavid in training camp. Xavier Bourgault may get one game this year.

Bob Stauffer was the best broadcaster at the tournament. Dylan Holloway was a standout player. Bob usually arrives at rink with a suitcase of facts.

Dylan Holloway and Alex Peters are doing well at the Edmonton Oilers' training camp. They are both 6'4, 220 and they are playing for the West Coast team.

Sinclair Broadcasting's Diamond Sports property, which owns the Bally Sports brand, is struggling financially. Sinclair Broadcasting owns one of the biggest TV and radio stations in the United States. Baly Sports carries over half the NHL's regional TV broadcasts in U.S.

The salary cap is expected to jump significantly after the 2023-24 season. If the cap does not jump, the Edmonton Oilers could have an advantage in fielding competitive teams while still staying under the salary limit. The Oilers have each of their last 10 1 Round draft picks under contract.

Ken Holland wants to create internal competition in the Edmonton Oilers organization. He wants his players to compete for their positions. This is the hallmark of what turns organizations in all sports into winners. The previous Edmonton Oiler's management did not create enough competition. They gave positions to the kids without making them better than the players already under team control. The current version of the team is designed to make the young players earn their spots in their team. It would be good if the draft picks make it to opening night.