It was announced earlier today that Oscar Klefbom has been shut down for the remainder of the season as he’s going to have shoulder surgery. In his place, the Oilers have recalled Dillon Simpson from the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.

Being stuck behind the Leftorium of Darnell Nurse, Andrej Sekera, Kris Russell, and Yohann Auvitu, it’s difficult to say how much ice time Simpson will get. That said, the Oilers seem to be prioritizing giving prospect Ethan Bear an extended opportunity, so maybe Simpson will be given a similar look.

The former fourth-round pick of the Oilers from the 2011 draft currently leads all Condors’ defencemen with 17 points in 56 games. He played three games with the Oilers back during the 2016-17 season but didn’t record a point.

Simpson will become a Group VI unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Players under Group VI status are over the age of 25, have played three or more professional seasons, and have played fewer than 80 NHL games. The goal here is to give players who have been buried in a team’s system an opportunity to explore free agency.