It’s only October 20th but the list of injuries is stacking up quickly on the Oilers. Who in Bakersfield is fit for a call-up should any more arise?
Seven of the top eight players (as far as points per 60 minutes) from the 2015/16 Bakersfield season are not available for call-up. They were:
| Name | P/60 | Where are they? |
| Josh Winquist | 3.046 | Not in Oilers System |
| Rob Klinkhammer | 2.401 | Not in Oilers System |
| Tyler Pitlick | 2.243 | On Oilers |
| Matt Ford | 2.205 | Not in Oilers System |
| Marco Roy | 2.075 | Not in Oilers System |
| Jujhar Khaira | 1.919 | Available |
| Anton Slepyshev | 1.856 | On Oilers |
| Bogdan Yakimov | 1.788 | In KHL on loan |
The candidates for NHL duty this year are:
| Bakersfield NHL Forward Prospects | ||||||||||
| Player | Position | G/Gp | Prim P/GP | P/60 5 on 5 | Rank AHL | GF% | Age | NHL Salary | NHL Experience | Waivers? |
| Taylor Beck | RW | 0.34 | 0.52 | 2.138 | 201 | 56.3 | 24 | 650,000 | 87 Games | Yes |
| Jujhar Khaira | C/LW | 0.204 | 0.469 | 1.917 | 280 | 47.7 | 21 | 875,000 | 15 Games | No |
| Greg Chase | RW | 0.056 | 0.278 | 1.726 | 351 | 64.3 | 20 | 715,000 | 0 Games | No |
| Kyle Platzer | C | 0.085 | 0.191 | 1.46 | 467 | 40.7 | 20 | 735,000 | 0 Games | No |
| Mitch Moroz | LW | 0.128 | 0.231 | 1.283 | 547 | 58.8 | 21 | 875,000 | 0 Games | No |
| Braden Christoffer | LW | 0.03 | 0.152 | 0.735 | 27.3 | 21 | 650,000 | 0 Games | No | |
| Patrick Russell | RW | Did Not Play 2015/16 | 23 | 925,000 | 0 Games | No | ||||
| Jere Sallinen | C | Did Not Play 2015/16 | 25 | 792,500 | 0 Games | No | ||||
Taylor Beck and Jujhar Khaira are the most likely candidates up front. Both have some NHL experience and are capable of a third or fourth line role.
Khaira had a two goal game to start the season, followed that up with another two points in game 2, and is far more important to the future of the Oilers than Beck so he likely gets the first nod should the bosses come calling.
| Bakersfield NHL D Prospects | ||||||||||
| Player | Position | G/Gp | Prim P/GP | P/60 5 on 5 | Rank AHL | GF% | Age | NHL Salary | NHL Experience | Waivers? |
| Jordan Oesterle | LHD | 0.093 | 0.395 | 1.707 | 29 | 49.1 | 23 | 585,000 | 23 Games | No |
| Joey Laleggia | LHD | 0.129 | 0.29 | 1.336 | 74 | 50.8 | 23 | 883,750 | 0 Games | No |
| Griffin Reinhart | LHD | 0.067 | 0.167 | 1.216 | 94 | 50.8 | 21 | 863,333 | 37 Games | No |
| Dillon Simpson | LHD | 0.071 | 0.179 | 1.215 | 95 | 47.7 | 22 | 836,667 | 0 Games | No |
| David Musil | LHD | 0.045 | 0.121 | 0.735 | 41.8 | 22 | 600,000 | 4 Games | Yes | |
| Ben Betker | LHD | 0 | 0.143 | 0.63 | 36.8 | 20 | 683,333 | 0 Games | No | |
| Mark Fraser | LHD | 0.033 | 0.05 | 0.385 | 37.3 | 28 | 575,000 | 219 Games | Yes | |
| Matt Benning | RHD | Did Not Play 2015/16 | 22 | 925,000 | 0 Games | No | ||||
Betker is the man on paper that was called up first. He wasn’t a part of the lineup in the season opener for Bakersfield and should an actual slot in the top 6 arise on the Oilers it won’t be Betker that gets a look in NHL action. He’s the #8 defender in Bakersfield and will resume that role again soon.
Jordan Oesterle and Griffin Reinhart both have NHL experience and didn’t look out of place in their stints with the Oilers last season.
Matt Benning outlasted both Oesterle and Reinhart in Oilers camp, eventually making the initial 23 man roster before a late return to the AHL. He has an important distinction from the rest of the group as well, he shoots right.
It will be important to see as the season progresses which left-handed D-men play and do well on the right side. In game 1 it was Oesterle and Laleggia playing their off-side.
What would your call be? Do you think the organization has enough depth on the farm? Let me know in the comments section below.
