Do you guys remember Patrick Russell? The guy Bob Nicholson claimed as one of the heroic signings back in the summer during a letter to the season ticket holders? Well, the Edmonton Oilers called him up from Bakersfield today and it looks like he might get to play his first NHL game this Saturday.

Of course, it is unconfirmed whether he will play this Saturday or not. But we do know that Tobias Rieder is currently injured with an upper-body injury so it’s a little more promising for Russell that he may draw in.  We’re not quite sure how Rieder got injured while playing the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, but he left in the second period and did not return to the game. We know his injury is upper-body related, but don’t know much more than that. I’m hoping this isn’t a long-term thing as Tobias was playing some pretty solid hockey, however, I’m sure Patrick Russell is happy to get his shot.

Patrick Russell currently has four goals and five assists in eleven games with the Bakersfield Condors this season. He’s also sitting at a +9 which is a team high. He’s been playing right wing with Bakersfield this season as well. With Cooper Marody already called up and sitting in the press box, I think it’s more likely that we see Cooper draw in to replace Rieder on Saturday instead of Russell. Marody has looked good in his limited minutes played with the Oilers this season so I don’t see why Russell would slide into the lineup past him.

We’re going to have quite the situation on our hands if Russell does draw in on Saturday though. If he dresses, we will have TWO Russell’s on the team and that calls for some jersey changes. Kris Russell will get a “K.” added to the back of his jersey and Patrick Russell would have a “P.” I personally, would like to just see “Patrick” and “Kris” on the name bar instead of their last names. It adds a personal touch, you know? Or maybe they stitch in “Kris R.” and “Patrick R.?” I’ll leave it up to the trainers to decide.

Either way, if and when Patrick Russell plays his first NHL game it’s going to be historic. Peter Chiarelli signed Russell to a one-year contract back in the summer, and Oilers fans will never forget the day Bob Nicholson told us all that the signing of Russell is one of the big reasons we’ll be put back on the map. I’m excited to see Russell play. He had a fairly successful college career and I think with some proper development in the minors he could be a valuable asset to some team in the NHL. WIll it be the Oilers? Only time will tell.