There’s a healthy chance to make the team in Edmonton.” “I think Desharnais has earned the right to be included in the (NHL) conversation. This dovetails with something Woodcroft mentioned during his interview with me in the summer of 2022. I believe the player Woodcroft believes in was Vincent Desharnais.” In a recent 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman wrote “Woodcroft confirmed the Oilers declined to pursue a particular player at the trade deadline because he felt someone already on the roster could fill the role. His belief in the players he coached in the minors is all over the current Oilers roster. It’s a historically significant number (12 men in four years) based on the organization’s previously established level of success. Woodcroft has graduated many of his Bakersfield Condors to the NHL. How has Woodcroft orchestrated the roster and its success using inexpensive talent drafted and developed by the organization? Belief in the minor-league system Added to several astute signings and two strong deadline trades by general manager Ken Holland, the current roster has the look of a true Stanley Cup contender.
