Steve Tambellini greeted the media this morning with a smile.
After all the pain and suffering the Edmonton Oilers general manager lived through last year hard to blame him for feeling good about the start of 2010, and yes, he knows it's still just the pre-season.
"It's been fun to watch the young people so far," said Tambellini in his first public comments since the start of training camp. "I've been very impressed with them."
Headlining that list would be Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi and Jordan Eberle who have lived up Oilers management and fans expectations through the opening three exhibition games.
"They all hang together and seem to be enjoying each others company," Tambellini explained. "And they also are trying to outdo each other."
That has been the case. Paajarvi recorded a hat trick and an assist against Tampa Bay, Eberle had a two-goal, 1-assist performance versus Vancouver and Hall has put up a goal and two assists so far in the pre-season. Those numbers along with all the fanfare and attention make it difficult for the trio not to start the season in Edmonton.
"There's no doubt that those three have looked comfortable but we would never put any player into the NHL if they're not ready," Tambellini said.
While it's understandable that the last three first-round picks of the Oilers are getting accolades they aren't the only ones who have caught the boss's eye.
"I've liked what I've seen out of Jeff Petry and Chris Vande Velde. Richard Petiot has been a nice surprise," Tambellini said. "We're progressing with our people and I really like the depth of the organization. There is a lot of competition for jobs. We have some decisions."
That includes what the Oilers will do with their backup goalie spot between Jeff Deslauriers and Devan Dubnyk, and what happens with Sheldon Souray who was told to stay away from camp and continues to skate in Los Angeles.
The Oilers have three pre-season games left -- two against Calgary and another Wednesday night against Phoenix.
