A TOUCH OF BLUE
Lowetide
November 07 2012 07:19PM
The Oklahoma City Barons were badly in need of some help on defense, and it looks like they took some action with the addition of Jordan Henry.
Hat tip to Neil Livingston (and Bryan Schamber via twitter) for the information, Neil's article (and Henry's tweet) is here. The importance of the addition can't be overstated, as he should be able to help them in several areas (defense, toughness and hopefully the powerplay).
Henry is a minor league veteran (262 AHL games, 22 ECHL and a season in the KHL) and at 26 would certainly be good enough to play in the Barons top 6D. A guess as to their current depth chart might be:
- 1st pairing: Marincin-Schultz
- 2nd pairing: Fedun-Teubert
- 3rd pairing: Ringwald/Zahn-Plante
With Brandon Davidson out long term, Plante struggling to find his way back from concussions/injury and the inexperience of the others in the group, Henry should be a welcome sight for a team that needs calm feet on the backline.
HE'S RIGHTHANDED?
Yes, and the Barons have a ton of them (Schultz, Fedun, Teubert, Plante). Henry is an experienced defenseman with size, grit and a mean streak. There are good things in there. I don't know a lot about his ability to penalty kill, but would guess he's had a chance to do it plenty in those AHL games mentioned above.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Handedness aside, this was long overdue. The Barons needed experience and Henry fits the bill. He should provide reliable defense for OKC as long as he's on the roster.
Wow that red jersey he's wearing is UGLY!
Sounds like a nice pickup.
Lowetide, can you write an article forecasting what will/would happen to the OKC roster if/when the NHL resumes? Specifically, who moves up to replace the surefire NHL-bound players (e.g. Hall, Nuge, Eberle, Schultz, etc.).
The team was a contender last year without the NHLers; I wonder if that's still the case..
Nice pickup. I actually knew Henry, played with him several seasons growing up. Never stayed in touch but I've been following his career with interest. Awesome to see him in oilers colours.
I like this move and i think it buys into the philosophy ive been preaching for sometime now. I like the fact that he's a north to south type player who isnt afraid to go east to west.This guy doesnt believe in labels. I like how he isnt afraid to use his hands to do positive things out there. Its important that with all our young guns and the adaptability that comes with it that he can keep up with the play and create momentum. Who knows, we might even see him on the big club at some point, and thats where all of his intangibles will come into play. His skill set is under rated. He has an ability to zone out distractions and angle out the forwards into the corners almost effortlessly. His reads could use some work, but i think it's compensated by his ability to cross the blue line with intent.Great pick up and i look forward to his contributions.
Yes! Lets hope the injuries don't go that deep this season.
I know. Absolute garbage. I think it's from the Cooter Hockey League.
He's no Jordan Hendry, but he'll do.
Muji: Interesting idea. I'm on it!
I don't know about you guys but I remember playing hockey growing up and just about everybody shot left except for one or two righty's. It was like the reverse of golf. Maybe it was just me but anyway good pick up for the Barons.
Also, Jill Hennessy. 'Nuff said.
Lowetide: Wow. Thanks! But I didn't mean you need to start writing right this minute. A bit later tonight would also be acceptable - j/k :) Keep up the good work!
Interesting timing coming up with a former flames prospect days before a tilt with the flames farm team.
Lt, you think a Saturday night on national tv will amp up the game and fan scrutiny. Did management not want to lose with their top tier prospects playing a hot mini flames team for one of the biggest games played on tv so far this fall in hockey?
A nice side story, at the very least. That game Saturday night should be a very good game--honestly, more entertaining than Oil-Flames games the last few seasons.
On the OKC website it says they signed Eric Hunter from Stockton... So they signed two today?
"The Oklahoma City Barons signed forward Eric Hunter to an American Hockey League contract, General Manager Bill Scott announced today."
A red guy turning into a good guy, you know he'll have a hatred for the Flames organization! I'll take it as a positive! Oilers Pride the Oilers Tradition doing it the Oilers Way!!!
Now if we can just get Jill H to doff her red "jersey" ...
Sounds like a nice pick-up, but I'm assuming you meant "Barons" instead of "Oilers" when you mention he "would certainly be good enough to play in the Oilers top 6D"?
LT, who do you think they send down, if anyone? By level of play, I'd think Plante or Ringwald, but since Zahn only recently joined the group he might get the short stick.
Maybe Ringwald. Reports on Zahn have been positive based on what I'm reading.
Two signings in one day........you would think the Oilers just told OKC to get ready to have players heading north?
Wishful thinking?
I believe that there will be another break in negotiations before a deal is eventually signed. It seems that with Bettman nothing comes easy.......he has got to overcome his " small man syndrome" , its killing all of us!
@db7db7db7
db7 are you a power engineer? I believe we belong on the same forum :-)
Not too sure how many people have the handle db7db7.