Oilers Recall Brandon Davidson

The Oilers hit the transaction wire on Tuesday, but not in the way fans were hoping. Instead, Edmonton dipped their hands into the AHL, recalling defender Brandon Davidson from the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons.

Davidson was recalled early last season as well, but never played a game for the Oilers. He started the season with the big club this year as well, but was on the IR due to an injury he suffered before training camp.

Davidson will fill in for Nikita Nikitin, who was placed on the IR with an injury on Monday after missing Sunday’s win over the Sharks. Davidson will not play tonight against that same San Jose team, and likely will not play Wednesday in Anaheim.

Davidson was drafted in 2010, and is a solid shut-down defender for the Barons at the AHL level. He’s a player that Todd Nelson really values down on the farm, and is a guy that has caught the eyes of both management and the coaching staff, Rocky Thompson mentioned him back in the summer as a guy to keep an eye on.

His playing style isn’t sexy. He’s a shut-down defender who prides himself on playing a smart game and not making the risky play. He’s a defender that doesn’t put up a ton of offense, but who can move the puck. Basically, he’s a defensive defender who can move the puck a bit.

Davidson has also been used on special teams with the Barons, and was one of their most trustworthy defenders last season. He’s certainly shot up from being a no-shot prospect to a guy with a chance now.

The recall makes some sense as well. Many wanted Martin Marincin recalled, but he just spent time in Edmonton sitting in the press box, and needs some playing time, which he will get in the AHL. It certainly seems like the plan is to play Keith Aulie in place of Nikitin at the NHL level, and have the recall be insurance, aka sit in the press box.

It makes no sense for Marincin, or one of the rookies like Simpson or Oesterle, to sit in the press box. Davidson has paid his dues, and isn’t the quality of prospect that the other players are, so he makes the most sense here.

I’ll be rooting for Davidson to get into a game. He’s an amazing story and a guy that is very easy to root for. He’s earned this chance in the NHL, and hopefully this time he gets some ice time to go with the recall.