Projecting the Bakersfield Condors

Back in May, the Edmonton Oilers closed the books on the Oklahoma City Barons organization. The Barons played from 2010-11 to 2014-15 and had represented a massive success for Edmonton. They were the Oilers’ first truly successful affiliate since the Edmonton Roadrunners died following the 2004-05 season.

The Barons made the playoffs in all five seasons of their existence, while they also developed a number of players who went on to play in the NHL, in Edmonton or elsewhere.

This winter, a new era will begin in Bakersfield as the Condors move from the ECHL to the AHL. When looking at the potential AHL’ers from the 50-man list and the players under AHL contracts, one thing becomes clear. The first AHL edition of the Condors is going to be a very young and very strong team.

The Forwards:

Line 1: Anton Slepyshev – Leon Draisaitl – Iiro Pakarinen: The top line for the Condors will feature three of Edmonton’s best prospects. Draisaitl is a deadly combination of size and skill with some real hockey smarts. While he struggled in NHL action last year, Leon was a man among boys in the CHL from January through June of this past year.

Leon is likely ready for pro hockey, and it’s a safe bet he’ll be an Oiler by New Year’s Day.

Slepyshev had some success in the KHL last season, a feat that isn’t easy for young players. He’s got some speed and skill, making him a real candidate for NHL employment down the line. That said, he needs to adapt to the North American game a bit. A cup of coffee in the NHL this season is not out of the question.

Pakarinen crushed the AHL last season in Oklahoma City, and while he isn’t a big guy he does play a physical style. Combine that with his skill and speed, and he becomes a prospect of note. I suspect Pakarinen gets at least twenty NHL games during his second season in the organization.

Line 2: Ryan Hamilton – Bogdan Yakimov – Andrew Miller: Hamilton is likely to be the captain of the Condors, and is there to provide a veteran presence. He’s effective at this level and will likely help the young Yakimov in a big way during his sophomore campaign.

Yakimov impressed during his rookie season in 2014-15, and was starting to really figure out his offensive game late in the season before injury struck. His complete game showed a lot of improvement last year, and this bigger role represents that. He’ll likely be Bakersfield’s number one center once Leon gets the call.

Miller is a tremendous talent at the AHL level. He’s a solid offensive playmaker with good passing skills and a nifty shot. After an adjustment year in 2013-14, Miller exploded for 60 points in 63 games this past season in the AHL. He’ll be the real driver of skill on this line, and could earn another look in the NHL this season as well.

Line 3: Kale Kessy – Jujhar Khaira – Matt Ford: Kessy showed improved footspeed and some offensive ability last season before an early injury ended his year. He’s got a chance to be a physical presence in Edmonton’s bottom-six down the line, so he’s worth watching. His all-around game is better than that of Mitch Moroz, which is why I have him starting on line three.

Khaira is a solid defensive forward, but he needs to score more than he did last year. He started posting some real numbers come playoff time for the Barons, so hopefully that carries over to this fall. Regardless, this is a big year for the 2012 draft pick.

Matt Ford, a native of California, is a solid AHL veteran who was a mainstay for the Barons the last few years. He’s on an AHL deal and will provide veteran leadership and some offensive flare, just like Ryan Hamilton. Expect him to wear a letter for the Condors and help the young guys adjust to the professional ranks.

Line 4: Mitch Moroz – Kyle Platzer – Greg Chase: This is a big year for Moroz, plain and simple. The physical forward needs to show some sort of life offensively this season or risk falling behind some other prospects on the way up.

Platzer is a rookie pro and will likely be eased into the pro ranks, but he’s got a good skill-set. He has enough offensive talent to chip in, while he’s got terrific defensive ability to his game. He’s likely two or three years away, but he could be an effective bottom-six player for Edmonton in a checking role.

Chase is a true pest of a player, almost like Boston’s Brad Marchand. He’s physical and can get under your skin while also providing an offensive flare. His size is a bit of an issue, but it hasn’t stopped him before. He’s got a chance to be a real NHL player, but he likely needs a full season in the AHL to adapt to the pro level.

Final Forward Thoughts: One guy not listed who I expect to play a lot? Josh Winquist. He was very good for the Barons last season, but he is on an AHL contract. The 50-man list prospects will likely get the push early, but I think Winquist ends up as a regular for the Condors. I think F’s Alexis Loiseau and Connor Rankin will see extended time in the line-up as the season goes on too.

Defense:

Top Pairing: Darnell Nurse – Brad Hunt: Nurse is Edmonton’s best defensive prospect. He’s big and physical while also being mobile, a great mix. His defensive game is terrific, it was the best in the CHL last year, and he’s ready for the pros. I doubt Nurse is in Bakersfield longer than 20/25 games, but he’ll be there opening night.

As for Hunt, well he’s an impact player at this level. His offensive ability in the AHL in undeniable, he’s a power-play demon. He’s got some chaos to his game, no doubt, but it’s less noticeable in the AHL.

Second Pairing: Griffin Reinhart – Jordan Oesterle: Reinhart, like Nurse, won’t be in the AHL all season, but he’ll start there. Griffin is a big, physical defender who plays a stay-at-home style of hockey. He’s got some underrated puck skills too, but his skating could be an issue. I think he’ll be a solid NHL’er for Edmonton.

Oesterle is a very mobile puck-moving defender who has moved up the depth chart quite a bit since signing in Edmonton during the spring of 2014. He’s the kind of guy that thrives in today’s game. Made a lot of progress last year.

Third Pairing: Joey LaLeggia – David Musil: The rookie LaLeggia is going to be an impact player in the AHL. He’s got great offensive skills, is lightning quick, and is an underrated defender. I think he is going to soar up Edmonton’s depth chart this season. Could challenge Hunt for PP time by the end of the year.

Musil is a steady and smart shut-down defender, but he needs to work on his footspeed if he wants to have a career in the NHL. Suspect he’ll move up the depth-chart as Reinhart and Nurse get the call to Edmonton.

Final Defense Thoughts: Both Nurse and Reinhart will be in Edmonton by mid-season, meaning LaLeggia, Musil and guys like Ben Betker will get bigger roles as the year goes on. I suspect Edmonton rids itself of Nikita Nikitin or Andrew Ference before camp, meaning Brandon Davidson makes the Oil.

Goalies:

Starter: Laurent Brossoit – LB is Edmonton’s top goaltending prospect and is coming off of a very solid rookie AHL season. Year three in Edmonton’s system is a big one, he’ll be the starter from day one for the Condors.

Backup: Eetu Laurikainen – Had a great season in Europe last year, and is young enough to possibly be a long-term solution. We don’t know much about him, but I suspect around 25 starts for the rookie in the AHL this year.