The Oilers announced today that they were placing Oscar Klefbom on IR, Nathan Walker on Waivers, and recalling Anton Slepyshev from Bakersfield.
The Klefbom injury has been long speculated. It has appeared as though he lost a lot of velocity on his shot quite a while ago. His play has been on an upswing overall, but obviously he’s been more “nicked up… than previously anticipated.
The move to recall Slepyshev and place Walker on waivers is a net zero move. They take care of each other on the roster. Slepyshev is an actual Oil prospect that they’ve bled time and energy developing. He’s also bigger and probably legitimately has a higher upside. They are both bottom 6 players. Walker didn’t do much as an Oiler to stand out ahead of Caggiula or Slepyshev.
Placing Klefbom on the IR opens up the spot before the Christmas freeze for Sekera to return. Bob Stauffer mentioned this morning that placing someone on IR would allow this return to happen before December 28th. So we ought to expect Sekera’s return very quickly.
For the short term, that places the blueline as something like this:
Nurse Larsson Russell Benning Auvitu Davidson
Once Sekera is activated it will *probably* look like this:
Nurse Larsson Russell Sekera Davidson Benning
Once Sekera AND Klefbom are back it should look like this:
Klefbom Larsson Nurse Sekera Russell Davidson/Benning
I think we all know my thoughts on what the 3rd pairing should look like (or NOT look like) when everyone is healthy, but we aren’t there yet.
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The Oilers have also traded Greg Chase to the Panthers in exchange for Future Considerations.
Greg Chase was once upon a time a prospect of significant importance to the team. He finished his Jr career a point per game (or higher) player in the final 2 seasons. When he turn pro, however, the offense didnt follow him to the AHL. In fact, he's been largely an ECHL player in the Edmonton organization.
When the disappointment in the Oiler development strategy is discussed, it's players like Chase who came in with great hope and fizzled out that should make up the bulk of the conversation.
IN ADDITION The Oilers have loaned Fayne to Florida's AHL team as well. He belongs to Edmonton, but he's playing for Florida. Maybe it's a test drive. Maybe they could just use a veteran presence.
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