FORWARDS

1. L Josh Winquist. Actual: 35gp, 8-22-30. NHLE this year: 33, last season 16. Winquist has been on an AHL contract for two seasons now, hope the Oilers sign him. to an NHL deal. If they don’t my wish is another NHL team comes calling. He has earned the opportunity.
2. R Tyler Pitlick. Actual: 38gp, 7-14-21. NHLE this year: 22, last season 25. The young man (he is still only 24) has had injury issues since he turned pro and this year was no exception. His style, level of play and production should put him in the mix for NHL employment next season—if healthy.
3. C Jujhar Khaira. Actual: 49gp, 10-17-27. NHLE this year 21, last season 8. A major spike in performance during year two of his pro career, Khaira even found his way to the NHL for 15 games.
4. C Marco Roy Actual 42, 8-12-20. NHLE this year 18, last
   season 18. He was in junior last year, Edmonton chose not to sign him
   and he had to work his way up to the AHL (10, 1-5-6 in the ECHL). Like
   Winquist, he is on an AHL only deal—some of the best forwards in
   Bakersfield were this year.
5. W Anton Slepyshev Actual 49gp, 13-8-21. NHLE 17 this year, last season 28. At first
   blush, it looks like a down season for him, but the young Russian
   impressed early (made the NHL team) before getting derailed by injury.
   He finished strong (6-6-12 in his final 19, NHLE 24) and should be
   considered a solid NHL prospect.
6. C Josh Currie. Actual: 53gp, 10-14-24. NHLE this year 17, last season 11. Another AHL signing, Currie was in the ECHL last season but pushed to the high minors this year, then hung around because he came in handy.
7. C Bogdan Yakimov. Actual 36gp, 5-10-15. NHLE this year 16,
   last season 19. Yakimov had a strange season, bolting for Russia in the
   middle of the year before returning to NA. Some are down on him, but at
   6.05, 232 he can in fact deliver offense at the AHL level and he is
   just 21—too soon to make sweeping statements about him. Another year in
   Bakersfield may be key.
8. C Kyle Platzer. Actual 48gp, 6-11-17. NHLE this year 14, last season 31. Platzer was in junior a year ago, finishing up a quality season. He didn’t play as much as you would like this year, but did display a solid two-way game. There is hope for him, but he will need to do what Khaira did this year when he returns for 2016-17.
9. R Greg Chase. Actual 19gp, 1-6-7. NHLE this year 14, last season 21. First pro season was unusual, he saw lots of playing time in Norfolk of the ECHL (43gp, 18-19-37)—and that may well be a good thing. One of the more curious things about Edmonton’s minor league operation is their reliance on AHL veterans. Chase got to play every night, and that is important. He will want to push up into a regular role in the AHL this coming year.
10. L Mitch Moroz Actual 40gp, 5-5-10. NHLE this year 10, last
    season 5. Made some progress in year two and there should be a role for
    him if he can progress (Chiarelli used this player type in Boston, and
    McLellan had a few similar players in San Jose). He will have to post
    some offense, though. That will be a key item for next year.
11. C Alex Loiseau Actual 12gp, 1-2-3. NHLE this year: 10,
    last season 30. He had a big final year in junior and played well in
    the ECHL (54gp, 14-26-40). Not much AHL time but he may move up and get
    more time in 2016-17.
12. L Kale Kessy Actual 56gp, 7-5-12. NHLE this year 8, last season 13. Remember back at the beginning of this post, when I talked about the equivalencies being a guideline, but position and role had to be included? Well, Kessy did not play a major role this season (after a solid start before injury the previous season) and it may cost him. He is RFA this summer, and there are no assurances he will get a contract. Edmonton does have a similar player-type in Mitch Moroz, who is under contract for next year.
    
13. L Braden Christoffer Actual 33gp, 1-4-5. NHLE this year 5, last season 18. The young man played so well in training camp he won an NHL contract, but found pro hockey difficult in year one. Played quite well in Norfolk (24gp, 13-5-18) and will look to stay in Bakersfield next year.

OBSERVATIONS

• It is very important to remember the outer marker is Fernando Pisani or Jason Chimera. Players who lead the AHL in scoring are mostly minor league veterans or prospects whose organization has decided they are too flawed to play as NHL regulars. Source
• Josh Winquist’s NHLE is strong enough to suggest we may be dealing with an actual talent. The Oilers should sign him.
• Tyler Pitlick has been playing pro hockey for the Oilers for so long it is easy to disregard him. Despite all of the injuries, there is plenty of time for him to have an NHL career. Although Iiro Pakarinen passed him this year, Pitlick (if healthy) could probably fill that role capably. I do wonder if it will be in another organization, I kind of feel the young man should try his luck elsewhere. Have always cheered for him, sincerely hope it works out for him no matter the result this summer.
• Jujhar Khaira looks like he is primed for a big push this fall and could have an NHL career.
• Anton Slepyshev and Bogdan Yakimov remain prospects of interest, but need to have good seasons in 2016-17. They are certainly worth investing another season of AHL at-bats in.
• Marco Roy had a surprisingly good season.
• Kyle Platzer and Greg Chase didn’t play enough in the AHL, the Oilers have to—have to—devote more playing time to their prospects. It is kind of crazy. This week, the team loaded up their roster with veterans, even though winning every game meant the playoffs remained out of reach. If that is in the development text book, maybe rip that chapter up.
• Lots of talk about Mitch Moroz and his first two seasons, but he did post some solid junior seasons. If he can figure things out in the final season of his entry-level deal—and Moroz did play more this year—he may end up contributing at the NHL level.
• Photos by Mark Williams.
• Up next: Defense.
• Christian Roatis equivalency info here.