Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ potential playoff recalls an impressive group

The Edmonton Oilers have three strong lines, at least two quality pairings and two goaltenders playing well down the stretch this season.

What could be better?

The answer is an AHL team with plenty to offer.

Ladies and gentlemen, your Bakersfield Condors recall options.

Two goalies

Credit to general manager Ken Holland, the scouts and coaching staffs.

The pro depth chart in net is four deep and that’s a fact.

Among AHL regular goalies, Olivier Rodrigue ranks No. 10 in save percentage (.918) and veteran Jack Campbell ranks No. 11 (.917) at this time.

Campbell is the obvious recall, as he’s a veteran and would be the logical choice for a plane ticket to Edmonton. His month-by-month progress in save percentage shows he’s found his game since coming to Bakersfield in the fall.

Campbell’s troubles in Edmonton during the 2022-23 season were well documented. Forgotten from that season? The playoffs, where he posted a .961 save percentage (in 118 minutes).

It would take a chain of events bordering on biblical for the Oilers to consider a Campbell recall, but the numbers since January are a significant sample and he’s shining like a diamond.

Rodrigue’s youth, combined with Edmonton’s starter (Stuart Skinner) also lacking experience, makes Campbell the man to watch if something happens with Skinner or Calvin Pickard.

Defence

The goaltending in the AHL came about through solid drafting (Rodrigue) and a career crisis (Campbell) that appears to be turning into a positive story.

The depth and quality on defence is by design.

Holland has frustrated some (chiefly Philip Broberg) and driven fans to distraction wondering when overripening becomes wasting talent, but no one can argue the Oilers are without a stud on the farm playing defence.

Here are the Condors blueliners with current even-strength goal shares during 2023-24.

Broberg (10 NHL games) and Phil Kemp (one NHL game) are the two men who both were recalled from Bakersfield and played this season with the Oilers.

Broberg is beyond NHL-ready and has shown well in his time with Edmonton. Management’s acquisitions of Matthias Ekholm and Brett Kulak forced the young player to the minors, but he has delivered a fine season with the Condors. His exceptional skating allows Broberg to play massive minutes on the farm if required.

Kemp played forward in his debut with Edmonton, and Ben Gleason was recalled but has yet to play for the team.

It’s unlikely any of this group beyond Broberg receives a call-up to the big club, but there is quality there.

One wrinkle that has been noticeable of late: Broberg and Gleason, two lefties, are playing often in the same tandem. That might be a tell for Gleason and his perceived role on the team this spring or in 2024-25.

In a fashion similar to Rodrigue, it’s worth noting Max Wanner’s impressive work as a rookie pro. He won’t see the NHL this season, but his time is coming based on his exceptional minor-league debut.

Forwards

The last time Edmonton made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, injuries were taking a toll on the roster. Reinforcements late in the season included forwards Rem Murray and Toby Petersen the last time the club played four rounds of playoff hockey.

Holland’s best work in constructing this year’s Bakersfield roster could come from the forwards.

Dylan Holloway is 3-3-6 in seven games (entering Saturday action) and controls play with ease in the AHL at this point in his career. Through 83 NHL games, his scoring is shy (6-7-13) but the team misses his speed and a recall can’t be far away. Holloway scored three goals and four points in 32 games with the big club earlier this year.

Along with Broberg, Holloway has the skill, speed, power and hockey acumen to be a plug-and-play for Edmonton right now.

Sam Gagner (5-5-10 in 27 games with Edmonton) had the most scoring success in the NHL among players who are currently in Bakersfield. It will be difficult to get him into the lineup if everyone ahead of him on the depth chart remains healthy. He can impact the offence while playing on a depth line, making him unique on this year’s team.

Other forwards who are currently with the Condors but played with the Oilers this season (with NHL totals) are James Hamblin (31 games, 2-1-3), Adam Erne (23, 1-1-2) and Raphael Lavoie (seven games, no points).

Lane Pederson (18-25-43 in 51 games) hasn’t played in the NHL this season but is a significant talent in Bakersfield. He is doing a splendid job mentoring some of the young wingers on the roster and is a responsible two-way pivot. Management did well to get him as a free agent last summer, and he could slide into a fourth-line role in the Alberta capital now.

Estimated recall order

Understanding injuries will tell the story on recalls, and that defencemen get hurt more often, here’s the recall list.

This is an impressive group of talent, with top-flight youth (Broberg, Holloway) marbled in with veterans who can fill roles in a pinch.

The man who could have the most impact? Campbell, and Rodrigue if things got to the point where he would have to make his NHL debut under high-pressure circumstances.

One thing to remember as the club prepares for the post-season in 2024: You never know.

Things can get a little wild during a long playoff run, and the roster you see on the ice currently in Edmonton will go through changes due to injury and slumps over the next few months.

It’s difficult to remember a time when the team had more players who could be considered legit plug-and-play options than we’re seeing now in Bakersfield.

To a man, those Condors want to see the NHL this spring, and management built a minor-league team with multiple useful pieces.

Only time will tell, but it’s clear Holland is planning a long trip.

He packed extra. Start as you mean to go.

(Photo of Sam Gagner: Perry Nelson / USA Today)