Ethan De Leon – Inside The Rink
The Bakersfield Condors enter the 2026-27 AHL season with plenty of momentum after putting together one of the strongest regular seasons in franchise history. Bakersfield set a franchise record with 25 home victories last season and saw several young players take major steps forward. They finished 37-23-12 and fifth in the Pacific Division.
Now, the Condors face a different challenge: turning that regular-season success into a deeper Calder Cup Playoff run after being eliminated in the first round in three games by the Firebirds.
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Seth Griffith Leads the Way
Seth Griffith remains one of the most important players on the roster. The veteran forward led Bakersfield with 67 points in 71 games last season. He also signed a two-year AHL contract extension before the end of last season.
Griffith’s experience should prove valuable for a team that continues to develop Edmonton Oilers prospects. His offensive production gives Bakersfield a reliable scoring option, while his leadership provides stability throughout the lineup.
Young Players Could Make the Difference
The Condors have plenty of young talent capable of taking another step.
Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson both earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors last season. Hutson finished second among rookies in points with 63, and Howard was fourth with 50. They were also top three in goals, with Hutson leading all rookies with 30 goals and Howard third with 24.
The development of those players will remain a major storyline. If several of Bakersfield’s younger forwards improve their offensive production, the Condors could have one of the deeper lineups in the Pacific Division.
The organization also continues to add promising prospects and key pieces for Edmonton’s future.
Defense and Goaltending Will Be Key
Bakersfield’s ability to defend consistently could determine whether it takes another step forward.
The Condors have a mix of veteran experience and young prospects on defense, giving the coaching staff several options. Meanwhile, the goaltending situation will receive plenty of attention as the season progresses.
With a full 72-game schedule ahead, consistency between the pipes could separate Bakersfield from the rest of the Pacific Division.
They’ll likely be led by the combination of Matt Tomkins and Connor Ungar. Tomkins went 20-13-7 with a 2.98 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and four shutouts. Ungar went 9-2-2 with a 2.51 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage, and a shutout. They also will have 21-year-old Nathaniel Day, who in 39 games with Fort Wayne went 22-9-8 with a 2.76 goals-against average, a .893 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Can Bakersfield Make a Deep Playoff Run?
The Condors open the 2026-27 season on the road against the Henderson Silver Knights on October 3 before returning home for their October 17 home opener against the Calgary Wranglers.
Bakersfield has the talent to compete for a playoff spot. More importantly, the organization has several players who could receive opportunities with Edmonton, creating both challenges and opportunities throughout the season.
If the young players continue developing and Griffith remains productive, the Condors should remain one of the Pacific Division’s more dangerous teams.
2026-27 Prediction: Bakersfield Condors finish third in the Pacific Division and will make it to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.
After setting a franchise record for home wins last season, Bakersfield has established a strong foundation. The next step is proving it can translate that success into a long postseason run.