ARMALITE RIFLE

 

Taylor Fedun is a top flight AHL defenseman now, and at 25 is still young enough to have an NHL career. Every time Fedun seems to have peaked, we see an added wrinkle to increase his value. This season, Fedun is keeping his name in the mix for recall to Edmonton.  

As an AHL rookie one year ago, Fedun’s SOG/per game total (1.31/per game) was interesting but not earth shattering. His teammate Justin Schultz (2.74 per game) led the 2012-13 Barons blue:

This is fairly predictable, I’d bet most of Clark’s and Schultz’s shots came on the PP, and the others are well behind because of it (although Schultz is such an offensive player I wouldn’t be surprised if he trumps the group at evens too). This season, without Schultz, it’s an interesting race:

This season, Fedun’s shots on goal have increased markedly (and of course it’s early); part of the increase is surely PP time. Fedun is 5, 0-2-2 so far this season, with one of the assists coming on the powerplay (last season, he went 70, 8-19-27 overall and 3-5-8 on the PP). The added PP time this season should give him better boxcars and add to his reputation of being a capable player in a range of areas.

He’s already considered a solid defensive player, a PK regular and a RH shot to boot (the Oilers have a ton of lefty shots).

A couple of years ago, life gave Taylor Fedun a punch in the gut (or thereabouts). I admire him a great deal for how hard he’s worked and the success he’s had with the Barons. He keeps adding to his resume, and one day it’s going to pay off with a call to the NHL.

(Fedun photo by Rob Ferguson, all rights reserved)