On Tuesday, the Oilers re-signed forwards Curtis Hamilton and Tyler Pitlick to one year contracts that will see them play the 2014-15 season in the Oiler organization. These two players, both taken in the second round of the 2010 draft, are entering huge seasons, although at totally different levels.
Pitlick will be looking to fight for a full-time NHL job, joining Taylor Hall and Martin Marincin as full-timers, while Hamilton is trying to re-establish himself as a legit prospect in the organization. Even though these two will likely be playing their hockey in two different cities this winter, they both must take full advantage of the opportunity ahead.
Hamilton’s Road:
Curtis Hamilton was taken in 2010 with the thought that he could eventually be a big-bodied winger that could give Edmonton a power-forward kind of player. Injuries and mishandled development by the Oilers have totally thrown that off however, and Hamilton was in danger of not receiving a qualifying offer this past spring.
Hamilton has the size needed, standing in at 6’2” and 214 pounds, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy his entire pro career. This was a concern during his draft year too, as he missed significant time with two instances of a broken collarbone. It’s a major issue, and it’s killed his development.
This past season, Hamilton got into only 43 games, and scored only 16 points, although he returned strong in the playoffs posting three points in three games.
Hamilton has posted only 36 points in 145 career games, so it’s safe to say this was the first season in which he really ever showed something. He’ll need to kick that up a few notches this coming year.
The Oilers giving him a contract shows that they beleive in his ability to degree and have a place for him moving forward. Considering the skill he showed in junior and considering his size, that should come as no surprise.
For Hamilton, he needs to prove he deserves to still be a prospect this season. That means staying healthy and proving that he can contribute at the AHL level. A season where he shows his physical game and posts somewhere between 30 and 40 points would go a long way.
The odds aren’t good, and he’d need a feature role, but if Hamilton can stay healthy and play the way he did during a stretch last January, he might just prove his worth to the Oilers and save his career. He needs to snag a top-six role here and keep it.
Pitlick’s Knocking:
Tyler Pitlick is further ahead of Hamilton, showing his worth already at the AHL level. Pitlick too battled injuries and inconsistency for the first few seasons, but in training camp last September caught some eyes and followed through with a strong campaign, although one that was cut short due to injury.
Pitlick was great during camp and earned two separate NHL call-ups. He played in ten games, scoring one goal and adding no assists while posting a 41.5% Corsi For mark. Pitlick’s first stint was impressive, while his second was hampered due to, yes you guessed it, an injury.
Pitlick is an average sized player, coming in 6’2” and 192 pounds, but he likes to play a physical game. He’s a guy that will throw hits and play a tough style that would mesh well in the Western Conference, making him a valuable piece for the Oilers if he can make the team.
His offense has been showing up at the AHL level too, as he posted a solid 22 points in 39 games for the Barons this past season. He’s got some goal scoring ability too, and is a guy who, if he played a full AHL season, would have been close to the 20 goal mark. He’s got some experience at that level too, playing in 145 career games. He’s not a rookie pro anymore, and has 155 total pro games under his belt.
Pitlick is a guy that plays the style Edmonton wants in their bottom-six, physical and high energy. He’s got some offensive ability as well, and has shown some good arrows the last year.
Like Hamilton, Pitlick will need to stay healthy, but unlike Hamilton he will need to finally make the jump to the NHL this year. He’s waiver eligible, and has already played parts of three seasons with the Barons. Now we start looking for him to make the move.
There is a spot open, the right wing spot on the fourth-line that will get all the tough defensive zone assignments. Boyd Gordon and Matt Hendricks would be his linemates here, and the spot is for the taking. Only Jesse Joensuu, Steve Pinizzotto, and possibly Mark Arcobello stand in the way. If he’s gonna push through, now would be the time.
Pitlick making the NHL as a regular this year would save the 2010 draft, giving the Oilers three NHL regulars, and would give the Oilers a solid bargain contract in their bottom-six forwards, something all good teams have. It could also be the start to a longer term solution in that spot, and maybe eventually a top-nine forward solution.
Pitlick has the tools, he just needs to consistently show them at the NHL level. Health would go a long way here, and fingers crossed Pitlick finally gets a season with a little good luck. He needs it.
The Outlook:
It’s plain and simple. These guys both need to step up in their respective spots. Hamilton must cement himself as a solid AHL’er and not get lost among all the new prospects heading south this fall, while Pitlick must push through a pile of NHL-tweeners and snag full time employment. If both are able to do so, they might just save face for that draft in 2010.
Keep an eye on these boys in training camp, it should be full on desperation mode from both of them.
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