The Edmonton Oilers have been hit with a rash of short-term injuries recently, but there have been no recalls from the minors. The Bakersfield Condors, the team’s AHL affiliate, is doing well lately, with several young forwards making a strong statement. It’s too early for most in that group to see NHL action, but if the injuries continue, plans could change.

What do the Condors look like? Who might be able to deliver later this season, and in what role? Here’s a look.

Ike Howard

The AHL doesn’t house elite offensive forwards for long, if at all. Those player-types are so rare, and make such an enormous impact, they fly over the minors and go straight to the NHL, even as teenagers. Oilers fans will be familiar with the top picks from last decade (notably Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid) who jumped right from junior hockey to the NHL.

The Condors do have one such player. He’s Ike Howard, who scored twice in 17 NHL games before being sent to Bakersfield earlier this month. In two AHL games, he has two goals and four points. Further, Howard has ignited the team’s top line.

Howard’s recall won’t be any time soon, though. When he returns to Edmonton, he will be a plug-and-play regular, and the Oilers are having a difficult time winning games currently. Giving fellow rookie Matt Savoie a chance to gain a firm footing as an NHL winger before elevating Howard again is the right play.

No other player on the current Condors possesses the high-octane offence delivered by Howard. He’s already driving the play one week into his time in the minors.

Quinn Hutson

Bakersfield’s roster has some promising rookies this season, several who may one day play on depth lines with the Oilers. Here are the even-strength goal percentages for the top forward prospects on the team.

PlayerEV GF-GAPct

Isaac Howard

4-0

100

Quinn Hutson

9-3

75

Josh Samanski

12-10

55

Roby Jarventie

8-9

47

Viljami Marjala

8-10

44

Connor Clattenburg

3-8

27

All numbers via theAHL.com

The names below Howard on this list have emerged as possible recall options in a middle-six role. These players populate the second and third lines, play depth minutes at even strength and are more likely to penalty kill than play with the man advantage.

Earlier this month, I compared Quinn Hutson to legendary Oilers depth winger Fernando Pisani. Since then, Hutson has scored consistently and now leads the team (7-8-15 in 15 games) in scoring. As important, his line has had great success in outscoring.

At the NHL level, Edmonton’s right-wing depth chart has seen some major changes through the first quarter of the season. On opening night, the right-wing depth chart featured Trent Frederic (with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl), Savoie (with Nugent-Hopkins at centre), David Tomasek on the third line (with Adam Henrique) and Kasperi Kapanen (with centre Noah Philp) on the fourth unit.

Now, the right wingers are Zach Hyman (just back from injury), Jack Roslovic (signed on Oct. 8), Andrew Mangiapane and Tomasek.

Edmonton is taking on some injuries now (Nugent-Hopkins and Kapanen have been out for a time, with Philp and Curtis Lazar recently hurt), and Hutson’s strong performance may allow him to see the NHL sooner than expected. He’s still a long shot, but has impressed with his range of skills.

Connor Clattenburg

If Oilers fans had a vote on the next recall, rugged winger Connor Clattenburg would win in a landslide. The NHL team lacks grit and intensity, and Clattenburg creates excitement every shift. He’s a throwback to another era (the only comparable in the last 10 years on Bakersfield’s roster was Jujhar Khaira) and is impossible to ignore.

Clattenburg is as close as Condors fans are likely to get to observing the classic movie “Slap Shot” in real life, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he sees a cup of coffee in the NHL. However, with just one goal and two points in 13 games, and a 27 percent goal share at even strength, it’s a stretch to suggest he’s NHL-ready as a regular. It would also be hyperbole to suggest Clattenburg is without talent, or that he’s not a true prospect. He can skate, has good hands and is fearless. He does need experience in the AHL.

Connor Ingram

The story of Connor Ingram is unique among Oilers minor leaguers, as detailed in early November by Daniel Nugent-Bowman at The Athletic. His road back to the NHL will involve reaching markers beyond on-ice performance, and there’s a chance he won’t see the NHL this season.

On the other hand, there’s a real need for help in net for the Oilers. Starter Stuart Skinner has struggled, and backup Calvin Pickard isn’t stopping enough pucks to maintain his NHL job. If their performances don’t improve soon, there will be an opening and a possible recall.

Ingram had a fine AHL debut with Bakersfield in mid-October, but then struggled during the next three games. However, after a 12-day respite, he has posted a .908 save percentage.

Some circumstances could dictate a delay in recall, or the Oilers may make a move for an outside solution. Ingram’s resume over his career suggests he can deliver in the role if given the opportunity.

Other names

Josh Samanski and Roby Jarventie are listed above, both delivering strong results for the Condors. Samanski is an impressive two-way centre who might be in the conversation for recall if he were right-handed (the Oilers need a right-handed pivot). Jarventie is NHL-ready and can play a variety of roles.

Also on the radar is goalie Samuel Jonsson, who’s lighting up the ECHL in his first North American season. Jonsson boasts a .926 save percentage and a 5-1-0 record through six games with the Fort Wayne Komets.

Bottom line

Oilers management is carefully monitoring the salary cap, in an effort to have maximum room to wheel at the deadline. Recalls to cover off the injuries to Nugent-Hopkins, Philp and Lazar haven’t appeared because of the cap and the club being on a long road trip.

If there’s a need for a two-way winger, bet on Hutson being recalled. Howard can force his way back to Edmonton, but it’s unlikely to be anytime soon. Management will want him to spend time in the minors working on defensive awareness. Jarventie should also be in consideration, but the Oilers may want to leave him on the farm to make sure he can handle the rigours of a pro hockey season. Injuries have messed with his career up to now.

Clattenburg is a distant bell based on how much he impacts the game in Bakersfield, but his rambunctious style could catch the eye of an NHL team looking to shake things up.

Based purely on team need, Ingram is the most likely early recall. He’s a perfect fit and could give the floundering Oilers a major lift.