Yesterday the Oilers announced that they extended Anton Lander to a 1 way deal. It has since been reported that the contract is for 600k on the season, which is great news for the club as it can be easily hidden in the AHL or will make an insignificant impact on the Cap if he plays in Edmonton. Lander was drafted 40th Overall in 2009 and his defensive awareness, maturity, and leadership skills were his most touted attributes.
Fast forward 5 years and this looks to be a make-it-or-break-it season for the prospect. He arrived in North America in 2011 and joined the Oilers immediately, which many at the time considered a mistake. Despite the strong voices against it from outside the organization, the Tambellini administration decided that keeping Lander up in the NHL for 50+ games despite the fact that he was struggling and not getting much ice time was best. He had 6 points in 56 games with the Oil and averaged just 10:36 a game. Now we are left to wonder how much that set him back. Thanks for the rebuild, Tambi.
He was subsequently returned to the AHL and has progressed every year there under Nelson’s tutelage. The leadership that was evident as a 17 year old playing against men in Sweden was recognized in Oklahoma where he was named Captain of the AHL Barons. Playing on the top line in OKC gave him a chance to show his offensive skills and this past season he went 46GP, 18-34-52 for better than a point per game in North America’s best developmental league.
Unfortunately for Lander he was yet again unable to translate that AHL offense to NHL production, tallying just 1 measly assist in 27 games. What’s worse is that this go around he was given more minutes and with quality linemates. This time he had 13+ minutes a night and David Perron was his most common linemate, so he was given ample opportunity to succeed but didn’t. This has to be disconcerting for the Oilers and Lander moving forward. Perhaps he was just too focused on Defense but he created almost nothing in the NHL.
It seems obvious that moving forward he will be penciled in as the Oilers’ 4C, taking the spot of the now retired Ryan Smyth. If he wins a spot any higher than that and the club might as well start another rebuild because they would be counting on a player who has just 8 points in 94 NHL games to bring them offense.
The Oilers screwed this guy up but he seems to be a solid pro. That said, a 1 year contract at this time in his career feels like both he and the club want to give him one last chance to prove he belongs in the NHL before he gives it all up to return home to Sweden.
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