WHAT A MAROON!
By Lowetide
10 years agoThe last acquisition of note for the Edmonton Oilers via waivers was Ryan Jones, a winger who has found a home with the club since coming over on waivers March 3, 2010. This fall, the club might find a gem or two on the waiver wire.
WAIVER WATCH 2013 (volume 1)
Patrick Maroon is a player I’ve been paying attention to for some time, as he’s a nice possible match for the Oilers. A year ago, I wrote about him in my annual "Minor League All-Stars" feature and posted the following:
- PATRICK MAROON, SYRACUSE CRUNCH: Massive forward (6.04, 225) has some offensive ability and looks like he might be ready for NHL action at age 24. He went 75, 32-42-74 with Syracuse this season and the Anaheim Ducks may look to him this coming season. There are more talented wingers in the AHL, but Maroon’s combination of size and skill will get him NHL employment soon. If not Anaheim, another NHL city. Perhaps Edmonton?
The Ducks–who acquired him from Philly in 2010 for former Oiler blue Danny Syvret–played Maroon in 13 games during the 2012-13 seasoon (he was 2-1-3 with 10 pims. He scored 26 goals in the AHL this year and he has grit (139 pims in 64 AHL games).
WHAT KIND OF PLAYER IS HE?
The Hockey News:Has tremendous size and good offensive instincts. Is willing to use his big frame to make plays. Passes the puck well and doesn’t mind mixing it up with opponents. Produces big numbers at lower levels. Needs to improve his defensive-zone coverage and decision-making with the puck in order to become a mainstay at the National Hockey League level. Also, his skating is only average for the big league.
THE NEW PENNER?
Maroon has a lot of fans, one of them being his former coach Jon Cooper (Lightning head coach). He spoke during the winter about coaching Maroon during their time together with the St. Louis Bandits and then coaching against him in the AHL:
- Cooper: "I watched him in two years turn into a man. He was a really dedicated kid. Eventually somebody is going to find out that in the NHL there are a lot of good players who, quote-unquote, can’t skate.”
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Maroon is an interesting, titillating option for the Oilers as their ongoing search for size enters year 22. A big man like Maroon may lack footspeed, but he can take and make a pass, he has great hands in close and he’s still working hard to establish himself in the NHL.
A Maroon? Yes, please.
Recent articles from Lowetide
