• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Minor League Report

Oilers Young Stars Coming Around in Oklahoma City

By Carl Maloney October 22nd, 2012

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Schultz celebrates a goal vs San Antonio (Garett Fisbeck/The Oklahoman)

Without NHL hockey in Edmonton, Oiler fans have been forced to turn to their AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City as the next best thing.

Fortunately for them, there are many familiar Oiler faces in the Barons lineup to root for.

Young stars such as Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Justin Schultz and soon to be joined by Taylor Hall in November, are all suiting up in OKC.

With the first two off to sluggish starts they are now starting to show signs of getting comfortable…which could be dangerous for the rest of the league.

Justin Schultz is the name that jumps out in the early going, and certainly did not get off to a slow start, leading the team with six points in four games and was just named AHL Player of the Week.  His recent week resulted in three goals and an assist with a +6 in two games.

While his defensive game is still progressing, he is making positive strides in that area.  He’s come as advertised offensively, however, picking his spots on the rush and moving the puck efficiently, showing the natural, smooth offensive skill set that has been as advertised.  That also included an impressive pinpoint pass to Teemu Hartikainen through traffic for a go ahead goal in a Barons recent game.  He was also a +5 in that same game.

Both Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins showed up in that game too, and finally got on the scoresheet, showing the kind of top end talent they have.  RNH recorded two assists and Eberle had his first goal of the season.

Another young Oiler prospect who has impressed early on is defenceman Martin Marincin.  The Slovak rookie has put up two goals and an assist in his first four games and has a +7 rating to go along with it, which is currently tied for the league lead.  Playing alongside Schultz, the lanky defender has shown an ability to move the puck quickly and a natural on-ice awareness.

Teemu Hartikainen is also averaging a point per game in the early going with four points in four games.  The Oilers are hoping the young Finn has a good start and shows them the kind of power game they are hoping he is capable of.  Without a true power forward who can take up some room in front of the net on the roster, the Oilers are hoping Hartikainen can fill that role in the future.

Veteran Josh Green has been impressive as much for his play as his leadership.  A near unanimous decision as team captain, Green brings invaluable experience to such a young roster.  He has also played well on the ice, with a goal and an assist and a +2 in the early going.  He has also seen time on the top line with Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins.

A couple of players to keep an eye on going forward are forwards Magnus Paajarvi and Tyler Pitlick. Paajarvi started the season on the top line with RNH and Eberle, and will likely see the lion’s share of time there providing he produces.  A player who may be down to his last few chances with the organization, he came in two years ago amid the same hype as Hall and Eberle, but has not lived up to it as they have.  This season provides him with a perfect opportunity to show Oiler brass he is the player they thought they were getting when they drafted him in 2010.

Tyler Pitlick’s game progressed well last season and he had a strong second half which carried into very good post-season play.  Playing some wing and centre, the Oilers are hoping Pitlick continues his progression and takes another step forward.

 

  • Tags
  • Jordan Eberle
  • Justin Schultz
  • Oklahoma City Barons
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
  • Teemu Hartikainen
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 19th 10:45 AM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Andersen, Marner, Spezza & Robertson

Jan 19th 10:35 AM
Philadelphia Flyers

Couturier’s Injury Results in Opportunity for Flyers’ Young Talent

Jan 19th 10:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Fans & Media Need to Give Drouin His Due

Jan 19th 10:15 AM
All-Star Weekend

1991 NHL All-Star Game & the Gulf War: The Modern NHL in a Time of War

Jan 19th 10:05 AM
Edmonton Oilers

4 Takeaways From the Oilers’ 3-1 Loss to the Canadiens

Jan 19th 9:55 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings’ Jeff Carter Playing Much Better After Surgery

Jan 19th 9:45 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Takeaways: Andersen’s Back, a New Marner and More D

Jan 19th 9:35 AM
Minnesota Wild

Wild Get Much-Needed Intangibles & Experience With Bonino

Jan 19th 9:25 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Look to Gain Momentum on California Road Trip

Jan 19th 9:15 AM
NHL Goaltending

Senators Can Be Optimistic With Comfortable & Confident Murray in Net

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information