A year ago, Jujhar Khaira was losing ground in the Edmonton Oilers organization. The big forward had an impressive camp in the fall of 2014, he caught the eye of Dallas Eakins and Craig MacTavish and he appeared to be trending in the right direction. Then came the AHL season, where his offense was next to non-existent.
In 51 AHL tilts a season ago in Oklahoma City, Khaira registered only four goals and six assists for ten points. For a prospect that was supposedly impressive and viewed as a future NHL talent, it was a highly disappointing professional debut. Khaira also suffered an injury later in the season, not returning until the AHL postseason.
There was a sign of life in the postseason for Khaira, three goals and an assist for four points in eight games, but overall it was bad first season in the Oiler organization. As recently as training camp, Khaira was not a prospect on the radar of many followers of the Oilers.
Luckily, for him, that doesn’t matter at all.
Resurgent Sophomore Year:
In sixteen AHL tilts this season, Khaira has registered three goals and four assists for seven points. He’s nearly matched his production from a season ago. He’s also seen his ice time rise and he’s seen time on both the power play and the penalty kill. That’s that ultimate sign of trust from a coach, a good sign for Khaira. He’s also worked his way up to the top line for the Condors.
Playing a physical game and chipping in on offense will get you noticed by any NHL team, but especially the Oilers. Khaira was playing the exact style that Peter Chiarelli loves when in the AHL, and as a result he was rewarded with his call-up to the NHL.
In nine NHL tilts, Jujhar Khaira has two assists for two points and has looked pretty solid. He’s been in on the forecheck and gives the Oilers a solid physical option to play in the top-six. He hasn’t looked out of place much if at all, which is a very good sign.
That said, Khaira was a healthy scratch in New York on Tuesday when Rob Klinkhammer returned, and while he did play in Chicago on Thursday, he was again sent to the press box on Saturday in favor of returning veteran Benoit Pouliot.
After a good NHL stint, it’s time to send Khaira back to Bakersfield.
Why?:
Jujhar Khaira has re-emerged as a prospect of note for the Oilers and that is a good thing. Edmonton’s top-six should be set for a long time (McDavid, Hall, RNH, Eberle, Draisaitl, Pouliot, Yakupov), but they’ll need competent players in the bottom-six that can move up the lineup when needed.
Jujhar Khaira isn’t the sexy name, but he appears to be one of those guys. A solid physical presence who does the little things well and can play up when needed will be very valuable for the Oilers. He’s not quite there yet, but the progression from last year is quite apparent.
Lastly, if he hangs around, Khaira would be playing on the fourth line or would be sitting in the press box. As good as he has looked up here at times, it makes zero sense to have him sitting around and watching the game. Let him go to the AHL and play in all situations and on the first line, it’ll help in the long run.
Being a healthy scratch twice in three games isn’t good for Khaira. Once Oscar Klefbom comes off the IR, which should happen within the week, Khaira should be sent to the AHL. I’d wager that is exactly what will happen.
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