With the Saint John Sea Dogs season coming to an end in the QMJHL, Ostap Safin will be joining the Bakersfield Condors for the remainder of their games this year.
Safin, a former 4th round pick in 2017, was signed to an entry-level contract with the Oilers earlier this month after leading the Sea Dogs in scoring. This was Safin’s first year in North America and he performed admirably despite the change in style of play and culture. In 61 games played, Safin amassed 61 points (26G, 32A) and was named the Sea Dogs’ rookie of the year.
This stint with the Condors will be Safin’s first taste of professional hockey and it will be interesting to see how he fares. The Condors have 11 games remaining in the season and it will be interesting to see how many of those games Safin gets into. Unfortunately, the Condors won’t be making the playoffs this year, but that lack of meaningful games down the stretch should mean more opportunity for a young player like Safin.
SAFIN’S CAREER SO FAR
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | Sparta Praha | Czech | 1 | |||||
| 2016-17 | Sparta Praha | Czech | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2017-18 | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 61 | 26 | 32 | 58 | 31 | -29 |
Source: Saint John Sea Dogs, Official Site, 3/20/2018 – 10:00 am MST
The Condors have 11 games to go Safin should play in all 11. The AHL should be a development league especially with them being out of the playoffs. Something that the Oiler organization has excelled at…..missing the playoffs.
Ideally, yes. We both know what organization we’re talking about though.
I understand that coach Fleming wants to win but winning comes secondary to development IMO. If Fleming won’t play the players that need development and instead plays AHL veterans replace him with someone who will develop players.
It is one of many easy fixes the Oilers seem to ignore.
winning is development, losing breeds losing
But the Condors have been a bad team and still feel the need to play their veterans to try and win. If you are going to suck you might as well play the young players.
I’ve never understood that.
You have a minor pro team that is, in theory, supposed to feed the Oilers. So to facilitate that goal the head coach only plays AHL veterans. Makes no sense.
I’ve been to 10 or 11 Sea Dogs games this year and man this kid is something. Playing on a bottom feeding team devoid of talent at forward he carried the offense almost alone.
The kid is massive, fast and not afraid to use his body. He’s been the only really fun thing about the games this year and it’s always nice to have an Oiler prospect to watch out here.