When the Edmonton Oilers sent young winger Ike Howard to the AHL in mid-November, many fans expressed the belief that management had demoted the wrong player. Now, with Howard lighting up minor-league goaltenders with his impressive range of skills, the talk around the city surrounds his date of recall.<\/p>\n
The smart money is on an extended stay with the Bakersfield Condors, though. The organization sent the rookie pro down in order to work on his two-way game and to establish confidence with the puck. It took no time at all for Howard to impact the Condors, and he\u2019s currently driving results at even strength and on the power play.<\/p>\n
Still, there are reasons to keep him in the AHL.<\/p>\n
The numbers<\/p>\n
Through four games, Howard had two goals and five assists. He found chemistry with German centre Josh Samanski and former Boston University winger Quinn Hutson. In Howard\u2019s five games with Bakersfield, the trio outscored opponents 5-0 and gained a reputation for creative entries, strong passing and quick-release shots. Hutson\u2019s shot is an especially effective weapon and has no doubt been noticed by Oilers management.<\/p>\n
The stock is up for Hutson and Samanski. Here\u2019s a glance at the performance spike for both men after Howard\u2019s arrival entering Saturday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
StatHutsonSamanski<\/p>\n
Pts-game before<\/p>\n
0.69<\/p>\n
0.38<\/p>\n
Pts-game after<\/p>\n
1.75<\/p>\n
1.25<\/p>\n
Goal share before<\/p>\n
67 pct<\/p>\n
44 pct<\/p>\n
Goal share after<\/p>\n
83 pct<\/p>\n
83 pct<\/p>\n
All numbers at even strength, via theAHL.com<\/p>\n
This is an impressive run for two young prospects who were already showing well before Howard\u2019s arrival. Samanski was signed in early April and is getting his first taste of the AHL. He has size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) and has quickly established himself as a player who could see the NHL during his entry-level contract. Hutson has already played in the NHL for a cup of coffee after signing last spring.<\/p>\n
Howard\u2019s performance so far in Bakersfield has been outrageous. His seven points in five games are outstanding production, and he\u2019s 8-1 in goals at even strength. Howard has scored particularly well at even strength, posting two goals and five points.<\/p>\n
Aside from his continuing development as a player, Howard is helping Hutson and Samanski reach higher ground as prospects. From an Oilers point of view, it\u2019s a very good situation. At some point, a recall will come for Howard. That brings up an obvious idea, one that has been done before.<\/p>\n
Call up the entire line!<\/p>\n
Over the last almost five decades, Oilers farmhands have been pushing through the team\u2019s minor league system in an effort to find NHL success.<\/p>\n
In March 2021<\/a>, a Bakersfield line that featured Ryan McLeod, Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson caused quite a stir, with McLeod establishing himself as an NHL centre. All three men would play for the Oilers, and McLeod-Benson spent about one hour together at five-on-five in 2021-22, via Natural Stat Trick<\/a>.<\/p>\n