Pitlick Recalled + Other Notes

The Oilers were on the ice today in Verdun, Quebec and there were a few interesting bits from head coach Dallas Eakins. The most interesting was the recall of forward Tyler Pitlick, the 31st overall pick from the 2010 NHL entry draft. Pitlick earns his first NHL recall after a strong training camp and start to the AHL season this year.

Pitlick, a 6′ 2” 192 pound forward is in his third pro season, and has seen action in 113 AHL regular season games, scoring 36 points. He’s also been in 29 playoff games, recording 13 points. Pitlick struggled his first season and much of last year, but really came on during the Barons playoff run and carried that over to training camp last month.

Pitlick is a bigger forward with decent offensive skills. His scouting reporting mentioned he has a good shot and decent hands, as well as good vision and hockey sense. It took him a little while to show that in the AHL, but the report appears to be accurate. There’s a player here in Tyler Pitlick, no doubt.

Pitlick has played in seven games so far this season for the Barons, recording a goal and two assists. He was playing with skilled forward Linus Omark and center Anton Lander on the Barons top line.

Pitlick will join the team in Montreal, and there is a chance he plays tomorrow night against the Habs.

* Hall Update: Not much new on the Taylor Hall front today. Hall left the team and returned to Edmonton to get an MRI on the knee he injured in Saturday’s win over the Sens. Hall took a hit from Eric Gryba, and then took a penalty for trying to slash Gryba back. Following the penalty, Hall’s knee seemed to buckle during an offensive zone and chance and he left the game.

Hall was walking without crutches or a boot post-game Saturday, and Bob Stauffer hinted that it is most likely a short-term injury, but we still haven’t heard much. Hall will get an MRI either later Monday afternoon or some time on Tuesday according to head coach Dallas Eakins.

I won’t lie, I’m getting a little nervous here, but won’t say anything until we find out what’s actually going on with Hall and his knee. Fingers crossed here.

* More Injuries?: Forward Jordan Eberle missed practice on Sunday, and missed it yet again on Monday. According to Dallas Eakins he is currently day-to-day, but no specifics were given. Ryan Smyth was also absent from practice and is also currently day-to-day. Jack Michaels, Oilers radio voice, said to not read too much into it, but it’s something to ponder here. What’s wrong with these two?

I’m sure we’ll hear more on this tomorrow, and I’d bet both play against Montreal, but if one can’t go then we’ll most likely see Pitlick make his NHL debut. My bet? Smyth is just getting a well deserved day off while Ebs is nursing a minor injury. Just speculation on my part.

*Dubnyk In: Devan Dubnyk was awesome on Saturday in Ottawa, and will start for the Oilers tomorrow night. No surprise there at all. A second really good start in a row would be huge for the confidence of both DD and the Oilers, and for a young team that is very important.

Dubnyk will go against Carey Price, who has struggled in his career against Edmonton. I’m a little surprised that Peter Budaj, who shut down Edmonton a little over a week ago, isn’t starting in this one.

* Former Oiler Retires: Quick note here, but former Edmonton Oilers defender Roman Hamrlik retired today following a 20 year NHL career. The Oilers acquired Hamrlik in 1997 from Tampa Bay for Jason Bonsignore, Bryan Marchment, and Steve Kelly. Hamrlik played parts of three seasons for the Oilers before the team traded him to the Islanders in 2000 in a deal that brought Eric Brewer back.

Best of luck to The Hammer in retirement!