The NHL preseason has never mattered less, so much so the league is taking preseason games away next year. While established stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have little to prove in September, for teams at large and fringe players, there is no greater opportunity to get yourself noticed. Host Nick Zararis explores why players like Ike Howard and Matthew Savoie's roles in the preseason is more important than their stat production.

 0:00 Intro: NHL preseason's diminishing value 

4:37 Preseason matters most for fringe players 

9:11 Practical applications of preseason games

 13:47 Evaluating defensemen pairings and prospects 

22:33 Building confidence through preseason play 

26:38 Preseason's true purpose: Opportunity for prospects 

Discussion: What the Edmonton Oilers can accomplish in the preseason | Learning lessons 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 

Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. 

FanDuel Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOOilers?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL #NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.