The Edmonton Oilers, just one day removed from a nice win over the Los Angeles Kings, have tinkered with the roster once more. The club has recalled two prospects, while sending a minor league veteran back to the AHL.
Edmonton sent G Richard Bachman back to the Barons today after his performance last night. Bachman gave up two goals, but looked overall. He won his last three starts, giving up just three goals, and honestly he put forth the best goaltending performance seen at the NHL level this season by an Oiler. So, why send him down? His wife is expecting their first child within the next few days, so it’s not hockey related.
Bachman was good for the Oilers during this stint, and he might have earned a two-way contract with the team for next year. It’s certainly not set in stone, but if Edmonton wants a veteran for the AHL team, Bachman is easily the guy to take that role. Wishing he and his family the best as well!
The Oilers replaced Bachman with the recall of top goaltending prospect Laurent Brossoit, who was acquired via trade from the Calgary Flames last fall for Ladislav Smid. Brossoit is a prospect trending in the right direction, who has started 25 games in a row in the AHL and taken over as the Barons’ starter.
Last season in the ECHL, LB posted a 24-9-2 record along with six shut-outs and .923 SV%. This year, Brossoit has played in 49 AHL contests, posting a 22-21-4 record and a .916 SV% in his first season in the league.
While those numbers aren’t elite, it’s worth noting the Barons are not only injured, but have lost a lot of players to the Oilers. This certainly impacts the results, in fact you could argue LB has carried the team recently.
Brossoit likely will start next season in the AHL as the starter for the Bakersfield Condors, which is the right move. LB is a promising young goalie, but he’s still developing. He’s had two good seasons, and will get the chance to taste the NHL on Thursday when he starts against San Jose.
LB is not part of the answer in net next season, but in 2016-17 he could very well be a candidate to help out in between the pipes. He’s a good young goalie that has performed well at both the ECHL and AHL levels.
The Oilers also recalled F Curtis Hamilton, a 2010 2nd round draft choice. Hamilton’s career has not progressed as hoped, and has been injury riddled, but he’s finally put together a decent campaign this season. Hamilton has played in 60 games and posted 38 points, a career high at the professional level.
Hamilton is a bigger forward, standing in at 6’3” and 202 pounds, and isn’t afraid to play a physical style. He’s a jack of all trades player so to speak, he isn’t going to be a top-six forward, but he’s a guy that can do a lot of things right. Lowetide compares him a little bit to Fernando Pisani, which would be a win for the Oilers.
A physical forward with some PK ability who is reliable defensively and can score a little bit is an absolute must for any NHL team, and it’s exactly the role Hamilton has filled at the AHL level. Will it translate? We’ll get our first look at that on Thursday night.
Hamilton is playing for a contract and likely needs to show something to stay with the organization. Yes, he’s had a good AHL season, but showing it at the NHL level would go a long, long way for Curtis Hamilton.
As I mentioned, Brossoit will start in goal on Thursday, while Hamilton is expected to fill in for Matt Hendricks on Thursday as well. I’m certainly looking forward to watching these two.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
