Just a couple days from coming out of their NHL mandated one-week break, the Oilers have recalled Anton Lander and Jordan Oesterle from the AHL Condors. Both Oesterle and Lander were sent down after Sunday’s win against the Canadiens in order to get some game action in the AHL over the off week. 

What does this mean? It likely means that JJ Khaira and Matt Benning won’t be good to go for Saturday’s game against the Blackhawks. It could also mean that Kris Russell won’t be ready to play, either. 

Lander and Oesterle played in games for the Condors on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, against the San Diego Gulls, Lander recorded a goal and two shots while Oesterle managed three shots on goal of his own. On Wednesday, against the Ontario Reign, Lander didn’t manage a shot and Oesterle had one. 

Obviously, this isn’t anything more than a simple depth transaction, but one thing to note is that the Oilers don’t play until Saturday, but opted to recall both players on Thursday instead. This paper transaction could have waited two days, but in doing so, both Oesterle and Lander will be paid NHL salaries rather than AHL salaries for two extra days than they would have had the Oilers been shrewd. This doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re one of the guys riding the bus on the farm, it goes a long way.