Music: {allcanada} Two vying to backstop Oilers backstop

EDMONTON — Two guys, one seat left. When the music stops, who is going to win the scramble to be the backup goalie to Edmonton Oilers starter Nikolai Khabibulin (notes) this season?

Will it be Jeff Deslauriers (notes) or Devan Dubnyk (notes)?

"I'm going to look at the body of work at training camp, as little as it is … I think we know both goalies really well," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney, who will make the final call on the backup with major input from goalies coach Fred Chabot.

Deslauriers, who played 48 games last season and somehow got three shutouts behind an Oilers team defence that stood around far too often, might get his one and only full-game look when the Phoenix Coyotes face the Oilers in NHL pre-season action tonight at Rexall Place.

During Tuesday's practice, Renney wasn't letting on if Deslauriers —who has only played 31 minutes in the pre-season this year, against the Tampa Bay Lightning—would be in net tonight.

Deslauriers, who could be placed on waivers, as could Dubnyk, is philosophical about his situation.

"I'll cross that bridge when it comes, but so far we're not even at the river," said Deslauriers, who is trying to prove he can be an NHL starter, as is Dubnyk.

The Oilers leaning toward Dubnyk because Deslauriers might be more marketable to NHL general managers.

Deslauriers is a former second-round draft pick while Dubnyk was picked in the first round. The Oilers signed Dubnyk to a two-year deal this summer, Deslauriers was signed to just one year, although he got money—$1.05 million US to Dubnyk's $800,000.

Dubnyk, who came on strong in the late going last season, has played two half-games during training camp. He might get a start-to-finish game in one of the last two exhibition games against the Calgary Flames.

But Renney may opt to play Khabibulin more before the regular season opens on Oct. 7 against the Flames, since the 37-year-old veteran needs the work after undergoing back surgery last season.

Do the Oilers want a goalie who can be a solid backup to Khabibulin, who might only play 55 games? Or do they want a player who can be a No. 1, in time, because by the time the team gets really good as their young players develop, Khabibulin probably won't be here?

"I think if you've got both it's best, but you do need a goalie who's going to grow into the No. 1 role. Khabibulin won't play forever," said Renney.

"I do believe we have some other goalie prospects (such as Olivier Roy) in the system. That said, whoever emerges, should be capable of taking the reins and running with it."

Oilers GM Steve Tambellini refused to say if he has called Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher about making a trade with the Wild. They lost backup Josh Harding (notes), who's likely gone for the season with a torn ACL and MCL in his knee.

The Wild may like Deslauriers better, according to sources.

"Every team has situations like this. You hope you don't lose people, but that's part of the process. I can't worry about that once we've made our decision," said Tambellini.

WHITNEY CAN'T FACE PRACTICE

Defenceman Ryan Whitney (notes) didn't attend practice on Tuesday. His face was still in rough shape after he took a puck from a shot by Vancouver Canucks prospect Mario Bliznak (notes) on Sunday night.

Whitney has had some tests and there doesn't appear to be anything broken, but Renney said Whitney had a headache, so he was kept out. He will not play tonight.

Ladislav Smid (notes), Alex Plante (notes), Kursi Foster, Richard Petiot (notes), Taylor Chorney (notes) and Tom Gilbert (notes) will be the blue-liners against the Coyotes.

On the bench: The Oilers likely don't think Liam Reddox (notes) would clear waivers at his $550,000 salary and with his ability to play centre or the wing, so he's a good bet to stick around. Shawn Belle (notes), Theo Peckham (notes), Petiot, Ryan Jones (notes) and Steve MacIntyre (notes) need to clear waivers to be sent down to the minors. If teams take a player on waivers, they have to keep him on their roster for 24 hours. If they send him to the minors, he can be reclaimed by the team losing the player … Renney confirmed Tuesday that he wants a captain this season, not just assistant captains. Shawn Horcoff (notes) still seems to be the leading candidate … Tambellini said camp tryout forward Jared Aulin (notes) is mulling over an Oklahoma City Barons invitation. "He has some things in Europe he is looking into," said Tambellini … Plante, Chorney and Petiot will be getting into their second pre-season game. Belle has only played one game. … This will be Giroux's third game, so he can't say that he hasn't received a fair shake. He has to start scoring, and soon.