Grubbe excited for fresh start with Oilers
Jayden Grubbe says it’s a “pretty cool feeling” being a member of the Edmonton Oilers. One that won’t fully sink in until he skates with them at training camp this fall.
The Oilers signed the Red Deer Rebels captain to a three-year entry-level Wednesday after acquiring him from the New York Rangers for a fifth-round pick at this month’s NHL Draft.
Once it became evident signing with the Rangers, who selected him in round three of the 2021 NHL Draft, wasn’t going to materialize, Grubbe had until Thursday afternoon to land with another club or become draft eligible once again.
Grubbe admits there was a mix of nervousness and excitement leading up to Wednesday’s deal with the Oilers.
“I kind of had an idea that something might happen, but wasn’t too sure,” Grubbe said Thursday. “It could have gone either way… You try not to think about it. But, you know, it was pretty hard not to.
“It went the right way for me. So, it’s pretty exciting and nice to have that done now and (I) don’t have to worry about it.”
“It’s been a process, for sure,” noted Rebels Owner/President/General Manager Brent Sutter.
“There was an offer put on the table (by the Rangers). But at that point, Jayden came to a decision that it’s probably best for him to go somewhere else. And they were just waiting for a trade to happen, and it materialized,” Sutter recounted Thursday.
“It worked out well for Jayden. It’s gonna take some time to develop to get to the NHL level. He just needs be to be in an organization where they believe that could truly happen,” he suggested.
“He just wanted to go somewhere where he’s wanted, and where he has a chance to to develop the right way and go through the process of hopefully getting to where he wants to get to.”
Sutter says it’s especially gratifying to see Grubbe earn a contract with the Oilers given all the hard work he’s put in following his devastating knee injury in 2021.
“He became a horse in our league last year, a big power forward. He’s like all young players, (there’s) lots still to grow on, but he has a foundation to grow from and he continued to improve in some areas, no question.
“But that’s what the minors are for, for teams to invest into that development, and they (Oilers) will with Jayden. He’s a right-shooting centreman, can play mean, play that hard, heavy game. He just needs to continue to work on getting quicker and continue to work on his skill sets of his game.
Being strong on faceoffs, an elite penalty killer will also serve Grubbe well going forward.
“Good character. Those are all boxes you love checking off on an individual when they’re in your organization, or becoming part of your organization, because you have great starting points,” Sutter said.
“I was just focused on playing my game, every shift and every game,” Grubbe said of his 2022-23 season that saw him finish second in team scoring with 67 points in 64 games. He led the Rebels with 16 points in 12 playoff contests.
“Playing physical and using my speed and my size, and then from there, chipping in with my skill. I think just finding that foundation of really using my size and speed and bringing it all together, that’s kind of what helped me have success.”
One adjustment the Calgary native must now make, albeit an easy one at this point, is switching his Battle of Alberta allegiances.
“Yeah, I did grow up a Flames fan. So, I might have to switch over have a couple of buddies. Some family members have been switching over and not too happy about buying a new jersey now,” he joked.
