|
Justin Schultz, Superstar |
|
|
|
|
|
Considering the amount of talent the Oklahoma City Barons have this season, their current win/loss record (2-2) is underwhelming. The biggest shock is the lack of offensive production from NHL stars Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Still shaking off the rust? Mailing in their efforts a little? I heard one guy say he thought Eberle and Nuge might have difficulty in the AHL because of how scrambly the play tends to be.
It's only four games in, folks. No reason to panic. It's also only the AHL, and Ebs and Nuge are only there to stay in shape. There's really truly no reason to panic as long as they don't get injured.
The bright spot so far as been the incredible play of newly acquired defenseman Justin Schultz. Could Schultz be the best offensive-defensemen on the Oilers since Paul Coffey was here? He just might. Four goals in four games, and most people watching him say Schultz hasn't even really found his game yet. What kind of numbers will he put up when he does?
Equally impressive has been the play of Schultz's pairing partner Martin Marincin. Marincin has three points in four games, and is +7. He got a little dinged up in his last outing (against the Monsters), but he kept playing. Marincin has been so good, in fact, that I could see him making the jump to the NHL next season...he's already climbing up the depth chart ahead of guys like Alex Plante, Colten Teubert and Taylor Fedun.
So if we're making a list of the good, the bad and the ugly for OKC so far this season, it would look something like this:
The Good
- Justin Incredible. Schultz is a point-scoring machine. Brilliant skater, puck mover, and offensive weapon. He's going to be an all-star in the NHL.
- Marincin looks almost as good as Schultz. Solid all-around D man who looks to be on his way to the NHL. Wouldn't that be something if Schultz and Marincin stuck as a defensive pairing throughout their lives as Oilers? Dynamic duo.
- Ryan Martindale looks much better this year than he did last. He's not getting anything close to top line minutes, yet he has three assists and a plus rating. Perhaps there's an NHL forward in their somewhere.
- Teemu Hartikainen has been moved onto the top line with Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins. Four points in four games, and he possesses the size needed to completely run over the opposition. He might be beating out Magnus Paajarvi for the LW job on Ebs and Nuge's line in Edmonton for next season.
- Kristians Pelss. He's a baby in pro hockey terms, but the Oilers organization adore him. Hard working, never-quit sort of player who will turn into a quality 3rd or 4th line NHL winger. His numbers in OKC aren't huge or anything, but you can tell he's going to be part of the Oilers future someday.
The Bad
- Slow starts for Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. Meh. We know what they can do when they're trying.
- Magnus Paajarvi hasn't shown much. Frustrating guy, Paajarvi. All the tools are there, but he just can't seem to translate his skills into points. Perhaps too passive a player for the NHL?
- Anton Lander has yet to impress. A bit of a slow start from Tyler Pitlick as well. Both guys have plenty of effort and passion...they just aren't ready yet.
- Taylor Fedun is still fighting to get his game back after his huge injury last season. Brilliant hockey IQ, but physically he needs to work on his speed and strength.
- Olivier Roy looks like he needs plenty of experience still.
The Ugly
- Alex Plante. Why did the Oilers draft this guy? Colten Teubert is looking more and more like a bust too. It's a good thing the Oilers got Oscar Klefbom from the draft pick that came with Teubert in the Penner trade, or that deal would have been a nightmare. Neither guy has any sort of a future with the Oilers...will, if they haven't been already, be passed on depth chart by Marincin.
- Penalty trouble has been killing the Barons in games, especially their last one. Some people have mentioned the officiating was terrible. So that's where NFL replacement officials go when they aren't in use.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»