Oilers Recall Lander

The Edmonton Oilers center depth chart was perfectly described by former coach Dallas Eakins during training camp, it’s two NHL centers and a bunch of mud. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has turned into a VERY good two-way player in this league, and is a legit option to be the team’s top pivot moving forward. Boyd Gordon is a terrific bottom six center who posts some offense and handles a defensive work load that no one else in the NHL handles. It’s impressive really.

Outside of those two however, the Oilers have nothing. Mark Arcobello was decent at the start of the season, but is a total non-factor at this point. He doesn’t produce any offense, and he has struggled to keep up as the season has dragged on. Leon Draisaitl has moments of absolute brilliance, times when his potential shines, but overall he isn’t ready, and is a non-factor in far too many games.

The only solution for Edmonton’s long-term center issues is the development of Draisaitl, but the current answer is one of two things, a trade for a short-term fix, a guy like Patrik Berglund or David Legwand, or a the recall of a player, say like, Anton Lander.

The Oilers finally listened on Friday, and recalled Anton Lander from the Oklahoma City Barons, while sending defender Brandon Davidson back down to the AHL. The move makes all kinds of sense, and should be only the start of the OKC recalls.

Anton Lander is a very good defensive center who is solid in the dot, can play on the PK, has shown well on the PP in the AHL, and is a guy that can handle a bottom six center role with heavy defensive minutes. He’s not going to come in and post 60 points, but he can be a very helpful player in a position of need for Edmonton.

Lander has always shown well in the NHL at a few things, defensive play and advanced stats. The problem is, Lander hasn’t provided any offense at the NHL, seriously, he has eight total points in over 90 NHL games, just an awful ratio.

His failure to provide offense has kept him in the AHL, where he has actually scored at a point-per-game pace the last two seasons under Todd Nelson with the Barons. Nelson knows the player well, and is going to give him a chance to make something happen in what is likely his last shot to make the Edmonton Oilers.

Lander was practicing on the third line with the Oilers, which is a perfect spot for him. It’s not a line the will be asked to produce a ton of offense, but he’ll likely still get some skilled wingers. He’ll also likely be tasked with weaker opponents, and likely will get some looks in the defensive zone. He’ll help out on the PK as well, and according to Jack Michaels is lined up on the second power-play unit, an interesting note.

Personally, I believe Lander should get the rest of the season. He’s a former second round pick, and is on his last legs to make the Oilers. He’s done everything he can at the AHL level, let him come up and get close to 50 games to try and prove he belongs here. It’s a lost season, so you might as well see if he can help you in a weak position.

While we’re at it, recall Martin Marincin and Iiro Pakarinen too. Marincin has had success at the NHL level, and was developed by Nelson in OKC. He’s certainly a better option than players like Keith Aulie. Marincin could be part of the future, and the Oilers would be foolish to not see what they have. Meanwhile, Pakarinen has killed it in the AHL, and was solid in his NHL stint with Edmonton. He’d provide more than both Gazdic and Pinizzotto at this point, plus he’s a potential long-term option moving forward.

The best thing that could happen for Edmonton is Anton Lander takes this opportunity by the horns and forces himself into the NHL moving forward. If he can handle third line duty moving forward, it’s a huge plus for an Oiler team that desperately needs center help. Plus, it would allow the team to finally send Leon Draisaitl to the WHL. Leon is drowning in the NHL right now, and needs to be sent out. More on that later though.

For now, the focus must turn to Anton Lander. He’ll get his first look of 2014-15 on Sunday night, let’s all hope he takes it by the horns and runs with it. Lord knows we need him right now.