BAKERSFIELD PUSH
By Lowetide
8 years ago
The Edmonton OIlers will be sending for reinforcements after the trade deadline, and based on previous performances from Condors recalled there should be some good days ahead. This year, more than any other in recent memory, callups have been having an immediate impact on things upon arrival in the NHL
(All photos by Mark Williams)
Beginning early in the season and right up through Zack Kassian, the Oilers have benefited from strong performances from arriving Condors. Here is the list:
- October 19: Oilers recall Andrew Miller, he plays one game and is sent down October 22.
- October 22: Oilers recall Iiro Pakarinen, he goes 1-0-1 in his first five games.
- October 26: Oilers recall Darnell Nurse, he goes 1-1-2 in his first five games.
- October 29: Oilers recall Leon Draisaitl, he goes 3-4-7 in his first five games.
- November 4: Oilers recall Andrew Miller, he goes 0-0-0 in his first five games.
- November 26: Oilers recall Jujhar Khaira, he goes 0-1-1 in his first five games.
- December 9: Oilers recall Nikita Nikitin, he goes 0-1-1 in his first five games.
- December 20: Oilers recall Mark Fayne, he goes 0-0-0 in his first five games.
- December 26: Oilers recall Brad Hunt, he goes 0-0-0 in his first five games.
- January 13: Oilers recall Zack Kassian, he goes 1-1-2 in his first five games.
- January 22: Oilers recall Griffin Reinhart he goes 0-1-1 in three games and is sent down February 9.
- February 10: Oilers recall Laurent Brossoit, he goes 1, 0.92 .970 and is sent down February 16.
- February 16: Oilers recall Anders Nilsson
- February 17: Oilers recall Nikita Nikitin
Anyone in italics moved the needle a little upon recall, I would rate Nurse, Draisaitl and Kassian as the three best callups this year (Mark Fayne felt more like a waiver move to see about interest and maybe a wakeup call from the coach).
ANY MORE?
As we get closer to the deadline, perhaps we will see some fine performances from other Condors. Here are my top candidates for deadline recall this year:
- C-L Jujhar Khaira. Since January 1, he is 13GP, 5-9-14 and is having a major impact on Bakersfield’s offense. I don’t think he will play a feature role on a skill line in Edmonton, but he is one of the more likely callups.
- D Jordan Oesterle. He is 18, 2-9-11 and is pushing for more playing time.
- L Anton Slepyshev. Oft-injured, since 1/1/16 he is 3-1-4. Oilers need to develop scorers, the Russian is the most promising in the minors at this time.
- C Andrew Miller. He is 16GP, 5-12-17 since January 1 and continues to be a quality player in the AHL. The Oilers may want to look at younger forwards (he is 27). Could fill in on a depth line after the deadline, has been playing center more this season.
- L Rob Klinkhammer. He is 9GP, 8-2-10 since being sent out, 29-year old has to be on a potential recall list.
- D David Musil. Defender is 18GP, 0-4-4 after 1/1/16 and may get a chance before the end of the year.
- R Tyler Pitlick. 14GP, 3-8-11 since start of the calendar year, he is 24 with an expiring contract. There is a chance he gets a look, wonder if McLellan has seen him much.
- D Griffin Reinhart. 13GP, 1-2-3 since Jan 1, he has also seen some NHL time. The Oilers have had him up a couple of times this season, may want to see others after the deadline.
- G Laurent Brossoit. Interesting decision for the Oilers, he played very well in a one-game audition but they clearly want him to play a lot. He could be back up, but it is not guaranteed.
Men like Ryan Hamilton, Brad Hunt and even Matt Ford may get cups of coffee, but if the Oilers want to look at prospects after the deadline, the nine men above are probably the pool.
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