The Edmonton Oilers recalled Oscar Klefbom Sunday, and placed Brad Hunt on waivers to make room.

The club may have another recall to make, depending on Andrew Ference’s
status after last night’s collision with Zack Kassian, but things are up in the air at this point with a phone hearing scheduled for tomorrow (see end of this article). The Barons play this afternoon, so this story may have another shoe to drop.

For Brad Hunt, the extended audition
was earned via a strong preseason performance. He has played in 6 games
this season, scoring a goal. His most valuable asset—a howitzer from the
point—will likely fall to a forward as the current Oilers blue does not
boast a laser from the point. For all of Hunt’s perceived offensive
value, the club didn’t generate much with him on the ice at 5×5, and his
shots/60 ranked low among 2014-15 Oilers.

The addition of Klefbom will give Edmonton a different look. The
young Swedish defenseman is a better defender, and can pass the puck
well. He is unlikely to be an ideal fit for a Justin Schultz ‘zone-start
push’ pairing, and that may mean a more defensive partner for Schultz
and the cherry minutes beginning on this road trip.

This
assumes that Andrew Ference is not suspended for his hit on Kassian (I
have no idea if that happens, NHL discipline resembles that childhood
‘Magic 8-ball’ toy). The shutdown pairing of Marincin-Fayne remains
intact, the offensive pairing receives a veteran addition and Klefbom
with Petry should be an effective pairing.

This should be viewed as significant improvement.

Update: There is a Ference hearing scheduled for Monday. The Oilers may be recalling a defender from OKC over the next 24 hours. (Barons photos by Rob Ferguson, all rights reserved).