Oilers sign three depth players
By Zach Laing
6 years agoDuring an afternoon presser, Peter Chiarelli announced the team had made “six or seven” depth signings.
Earlier today Ryan Rishaug broke the news of the team signing Ty Rattie.
Kelowna Rockets play-by-play voice Regan Bartel announced the Oilers signed former Rocket winger Mitch Callahan to a two-year contract.
Rishaug has since confirmed that deal, as well as a one-year, two-way contract for D Keegan Lowe and G Eddie Pasquale to a one-year, two-way contract.
Callahan
Mitch Callahan was a sixth-round selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 NHL draft and has only played in five NHL games accumulating 0 points.
Despite that, he has been a career AHL’er scoring 186 points in 365 games. The 25-year old, right-shot winger is coming off a season under Todd Nelson’s Grand Rapid Griffins that saw him score 43 points in 66 games.
As previously stated, he played for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets where he scored 128 points in 204 games.
From Hockey’s Future:
Callahan has steadily transitioned from and agitator/scrapper-type to a consistent scorer at the AHL level during his four-year pro career. Skating on the top line for Detroit AHL affiliate Grand Rapids in 2014-15 before suffering a serious knee injury, Callahan developed some nice chemistry with Red Wings’ prospect Teemu Pulkkinen. He is not an overly flashy offensive player but reads the play well, has some foot speed and uses his size to his advantage, more than willing to go to the front of the net to create chances.
Lowe
Keegan, the son of Kevin Lowe, was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round of the 2011 draft.
Lowe has been a career AHL’er too, scoring 55 points in 259 games with the Charlotte Checkers and St. John’s IceCaps.
From The Hockey News:
The son of former NHL standout defender Kevin Lowe plays a similar, no-nonsense style behind the blueline. Limits mistakes and can be a physical presence. Owns a projectable frame for the big league. Lacks a bit of skill, so his offensive contributions are somewhat limited at the National Hockey League level. Is more of a depth player whose ice time needs to be monitored and restricted.
Pasquale
Thrasher alert! Pasquale was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 draft in the fourth round and like the two players listed above him he has been a career minor leaguer.
Pasuquale is coming off a season with the Grand Rapid Griffins where he played 29 games posting a 2.43 GAA and a .919 save per cent.
From Hockey’s Future:
Pasquale has solid NHL netminder size and has shown an aptitude for positional play. He relies on his glove hand, which is very quick, to make saves or control the puck. He has shown the ability to increase his level of play to match the level of the opposition and plays with a calm demeanor regardless of the situation. Pasquale has been durable during his AHL career before suffering an injury at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Looking back and ahead
All three of these moves are nothing but depth signings for the Bakersfield Condors. Callahan may challenge for a fourth-line role, but he will need to have a good camp.
It appears that the NHL backup spot is being held for Laurent Brossoit, which means the Oilers have Nick Ellis, Shane Starrett and now Pasquale to fight for two AHL spots.
Lowe will offset the loss of Jordan Oesterle at the AHL level, but Lowe doesn’t project to be an NHL’er at all.
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