Everybody and their grandmother have their opinions on the Edmonton Oilers; where they’ll finish, who will lead the team in points, who gets traded etc. etc. Not as many people have the same opinions about the farm club in Bakersfield. A lot of players on the Condor’s roster will be having do or die seasons to determine where they fit as a professional player.
Last year it was expected that the likes of Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl would develop in the AHL to be primed for NHL duty this upcoming season. Well, due to injuries and a weak roster, both Nurse and Draisaitl spent a combined 16 games in the minors. This year there are a few names that should be seeing split duty, barring any repeat from last year.
DEPTH CHART
Anton Slepyshev-Drake Caggiula-Patrick Russell
Taylor Beck-Jujhar Khaira-Tyler Pitlick
Ryan Hamilton*-Kyle Platzer-Jere Sallinen
Mitch Moroz-Greg Chase-Jaedon Descheneau*
Braden Christoffer-Josh Currie*-Joey Benik*
Joel Rechlicz*-Scott Allen*
*AHL contract
TOP SIX
The top line consists of two college standouts and a solid prospect expected to break out offensively. Anton Slepyshev made the club out of camp last season but never found his offensive game. Couple the lack of offence with injury troubles and it amounts to only a 21 point season, albeit in 49 games. Drake Caggiula and Patrick Russell are big question marks in their own rights, but Caggiula should challenge for an NHL job, and he is a candidate to score at least a point per game. Russell is the question mark, but 20 goals is not out of the question. I have a feeling he will surprise.
Jujhar Khaira made more strides than any prospect in the organization and he has a good chance to steal the 4th line centre job with a good camp. If not, he will play a vital role on both special teams in Bakersfield. Tyler Pitlick needs to stay healthy to have a chance to prove he can be an NHL player. It’s unfair because he looks like an effective player to every eye test, but he has never managed to stay healthy. It is his last chance. Taylor Beck is a very nice pickup, as he has proven he can play in the big leagues. He is my sleeper pick to make the big club.
BOTTOM SIX
Ryan Hamilton was signed to an AHL contract to be the captain of the club. I love that signing from the AHL bosses. Hamilton will mentor the likes of Platzer, Caggiula, Russell, Chase, Christoffer etc. Kyle Platzer had a decent pro debut scoring 6-11-17 in 48 games, but he will need to see more ice time to improve and show what he’s got. Platzer is a dark horse prospect who plays a good two-way game, but he needs to score more to become an NHL player. Between 30 and 40 points over a full season would be considered an improvement. Jere Sallinen will bring sandpaper as he’s another pesky Fin. The 25-year-old will likely be a first call-up option if the Oilers need a fill-in on the bottom six.
Mitch Moroz did improve on his pro-rookie year, but he was injured as well. Moroz only played 40 games and produced 10 points, but still put up 99 PIM. It’s the last year of his ELC, and Moroz will have to show some more improvement if he wants another contract. 2013 7th round pick Greg Chase only played 19 games in the AHL, and instead plied his trade in the ECHL for Norfolk. Chase was an offensive leader there, scoring 37 points in 43 games. Chase should spend the entire season in Bakersfield. Braden Christoffer split the season between the two minor leagues and showed he was too good for the ECHL scoring at a 40-goal pace, but he only scored once in 33 AHL games. He’s a heart-and-soul player so he should find a way to keep the big club interested in his play.
THE OTHER GUYS
Last year the Condors employed players on AHL-only contracts that had more of an impact than some of the Oiler’s draft picks. Josh Winquist scored 30 points in 35 games, and despite steady improvement, did not receive a contract from any NHL club. Winquist signed with the Islander’s farm club in Bridgeport. Marco Roy (unsigned), Phil McRae (Hartford), Alexis Loiseau (Wichita ECHL), and Matthew Ford (Grand Rapids) played vital roles in Bakersfield but they were not retained.
23-year-old Josh Currie played his way into the top six last year, and he will return to the club on an AHL deal looking to improve on his 24 points in 53 games last year. University of Alaska-Anchorage alumni Scott Allen will have a chance to crack the Bakersfield lineup after scoring 30 points in 37 games for the ECHL club. St.Cloud State alumni Joey Benik had a four-game audition last year but will likely play a scoring role in Norfolk. Edmonton native, Jaedon Descheneau is a 2014 5th round pick of the St.Louis Blues who didn’t receive a contract after an injury filled 2015-16 campaign with the Kootenay Ice. Descheneau is undersized (5’9 192), but scored 78, 98, and 81 points in his last full three junior seasons. Can anyone say the second-coming of Mark Acrobello???
THE BAKERSFIELD LEADERS
Top scorer: Anton Slepyshev.
Runner-up: Jujhar Khaira
Assuming Drake Caggiula spends half the season in the NHL, Slepyshev takes the scoring title in Bakersfield producing 51 points in 67 games. This primes Slepyshev to take an NHL job for the 2017-18 season where the Oilers finally make a playoff run.
Most improved player: Kyle Platzer
Runner-up: Mitch Moroz
Kyle Platzer should find himself in a top six role before season’s end. The Oilers must make it a priority to get their prospects more ice-time and Platzer is defensively responsible enough to make an impact at both ends of the ice. I’m guessing he scores 39 points in 64 games.
Biggest disappointment: Tyler Pitlick
Runner-up: Braden Christoffer
Poor Tyler. Pitlick once again can’t stay healthy and finishes up his Oiler career when the Oilers trade him for a similar failed prospect, hoping a change of scenery is best for both players.
Biggest surprise: Patrick Russell
Runner-up: Jere Sallinen
Patrick Russell is an unknown to many fans and bloggers and writers alike. The 23-year-old Danish sniper scores 30 goals in his professional debut playing on a line with Caggiula and Slepyshev for most of the season. He adds 18 assists for 47 points in a full season.
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