Edmonton Oilers place Brendan Perlini on waivers

The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Brendan Perlini on waivers.

Perlini, 25, has appeared in 23 games for the Oilers this year scoring four goals and one assist. He’s struggled to gain a regular spot in the lineup this year, something that I’m not a fan of.

Despite a lack of production, he had been elevated up the lineup a few times this year due to injury and I’ve liked his game. He plays with speed and has been one of the most physical forwards on the team in the games he’s played.

On top of all that, in terms of his on-ice impacts, none of Colton Sceviour, Devin Shore or Kyle Turris — the other rotational depth forwards — impact the defensive side of the game quite like Perlini does.

Perlini’s isolated impact at even-strength, according to hockeyviz.com, is 13 percent better than league average. Sceviour’s is two percent better than league average, Shore’s is one percent worse than league average while Turris’ is eight percent worse than league average.

This move could be made to coincide with Duncan Keith potentially returning to the lineup Tuesday, but even at that, I would’ve demoted Sceviour, Shore or Turris before I would have Perlini.

To top it all off, Perlini’s mom, Vicki, wrote on Twitter Monday afternoon that she was the one to inform Perlini after seeing it on Twitter.

Not a great look.