Replacing Tyler Pitlick in The Lineup

Merry Christmas everyone! The negative Oiler fans are to blame for the lump of coal we received in the form Tyler Pitlick’s season ending injury. We wrote about the sad fiasco earlier this week, but I want to look at who will replace Pitlick in the lineup.

The Oilers have internal options and there are a few interesting external options. Pitlick brought a physical, speedy game and he scored goals at even strength. That’s going to be hard to find outside of the organization without paying a decent premium.

However, the internal options are one’s to really consider.

JUJHAR KHAIRA

The 2012 3rd round pick has come into his own over his last two pro seasons, and his production in the AHL early this year is nothing to fret about.

Khaira had a nice 15-game stint with the club last season and showed he could play in the league. While he wasn’t able to produce much offence (just two assists), he was a rookie in his first stint in the big leagues.

Khaira can play centre or the wing, so the versatility is there and his recent spike in offensive production proves he has scoring ability. He’s also a big body.

I’d expect Khaira to get another stint in the big leagues this year and challenge for a spot in the lineup on a full time basis.

ANTON LANDER

Lander is once again tearing up the AHL and it’s absolutely mind blowing that he can’t figure out a way to continue that success in the NHL.

Lander has been through waivers two times, but when he is in the NHL lineup you know you’re getting a strong face-off man, a strong penalty killer but not much else. The team was playing really well when he is on the roster, so he obviously contributed on a smaller scale.

Lander is the most likely call up in my opinion because he is simply too good for the AHL game, but he is not a threat to score in the NHL.

ANTON SLEPYSHEV

I was more upset about Slepyshev’s demotion than anybody. I really thought his play just kept getting better and was dumbfounded that he spent time in the press box.

Slepyshev went down to Bakersfield and he started scoring like I expected. He’s a strong two way player who makes a lot of under appreciated defensive plays on the back check and he has enough offensive flair to score in the NHL.

If he stays in Bakersfield for a little while longer and keeps scoring he’ll be back soon and this time for good.

BRETT CONNOLLY

I gotta give credit to frequent podcast guest Joey Degner for suggesting this player. After thinking about it, I think there’s a good fit.

Connolly is former 6th overall pick (in 2010) who never figured out the game as a pro. He’s running out of time and his early results from his third organization in Washington is not all that promising (17GP 3-1-4).

Still, Connolly has some skills to pay the bills and like Degner told me in a text conversation, he would be a cheap pickup. How cheap? I’m not sure, but I could see a move where we trade someone like Kyle Platzer or Patrick Russell along with a 4th round pick, but that’s just me.

Connolly could be another reclamation project for the Oilers that has worked out a few times under Chiarelli (Kassian, Maroon) and he could score near Pitlick’s rate.

GREGORY CAMPBELL

This one only comes up because of his connections to Peter Chiarelli. The Oilers could have claimed Campbell off waivers at the beginning of the year but with a full roster it made no sense.

Campbell is a good soldier who may be more Matt Hendricks than he is Tyler Pitlick, but he’ll be playing for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup after having his contract mutually terminated by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and a good showing there could earn him a contract.

Chiarelli had Campbell on his Cup winning team, and may have some loyalty there. He’d cost nothing but a roster spot.

CONCLUSION

Tyler Pitlick will be missed and I would have to think that his play this year earns him an automatic contract for next season, but he will need a full recovery.

It’s unfortunate but when someone gets hurt, someone else gets an opportunity. While I would expect the short-term solution to come from within the organization, the long-term solution may come from the outside.