TRAVELLING MEN
By Lowetide
10 years ago
Tyler Pitlick played for the Oklahoma City tonight, scoring a goal and adding an assist in the Barons game against Rochester. He’s 2-2-4 in his last five games, and should be close to ready for callup.
EXITING THE SYSTEM?
- R Ales Hemsky (48, 7-17-24). Veteran winger has injury concerns (good lord) but if healthy (and if Edmonton chooses to trade him) 83 should bring good value.
- L Ryan Smyth (40, 6-10-16). The elder statesman of the team is having a solid year, and teams may come calling. If the Oilers have no plans to bring him back, this might be his last chance at Stanley. I wonder if LA would acquire him for the run, or perhaps San Jose.
- D Anton Belov (42, 1-5-6). Big man lacks NHL experience but he’s a big body and might be able to help a contender, especially in the eastern conference where they slow play the game.
- R Ryan Jones (31, 2-3-5). I didn’t have him on the list one week ago, but he keeps fighting people. I wonder if Jones fighting comes from an effort to get noticed by another NHL team. Far fetched? Maybe. Jones can score goals from the 4line, and that has value.
- D Corey Potter (12, 0-3-3). Potter has had injury problems this season, but as a depth defender he might fit and wouldn’t cost a lot.
- D Nick Schultz (48, 0-3-3). Guys like Schultz ALWAYS have value at the deadline, although Schultz has struggled badly of late.
- G Ilya Bryzgalov (14, 3.27 .902). I’m not certain he’s done enough to earn another team’s trust, but the pricetag shouldn’t be too dear.
DOWN ON THE FARM
- D Taylor Fedun (30, 5-15-20). College man has had his first NHL cup of coffee and with Marincin’s success those OKC boys appear to be able to play defense!
- R Tyler Pitlick (21, 3-7-10). When he was called up earlier in the year, Pitlick looked very comfortable in the NHL, and coach Dallas Eakins was impressed. Now that he’s healthy, a trade or injury could inspire a callup.
- F Roman Horak (24, 7-9-16). He didn’t impress in his first callup, but Horak has significant NHL experience and may get an opportunity in the second half.
- C Anton Lander (23, 11-11-22). He can play center, help on the PK and given some actual linemates might be able to score a goal or two in his next NHL recall.
- G Richard Bachman (20, 2.96 .910). The hero of one incredible night of Oiler goaltending early this season has been playing well in OKC. He may get the call if Bryzgalov is sent away.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
A team in the Oilers position must comply—there’s no sense keeping a pending UFA if you have no plans to sign them, and the Oilers have a rather long list of possibles. The Barons have already sent Mark Arcobello and Martin Marincin north already this season, there may be room for one or two more after the deadline.
Strong candidates: Pitlick and Fedun.
(Barons photos by Rob Ferguson, all rights reserved)
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