Oilers recall Potulny and Reddox - November 7, 2009.

Today, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they have recalled Ryan Potulny and Liam Reddox from the Springfield Falcons.  The Oilers have struggled recently with a long list of injured/ill players already this season.  Potulny is a 3rd round draft pick from the 2003 Entry Draft who played 8 games for the Oilers last season.  Reddox is a 4rth round draft pick from the 2004 Entry Draft who playaed 46 games for the Oilers last season.

Initial Thoughts:

First, it's important to note that Pat Quinn had previously injected some 'crust' into the Oilers lineup.  That crust included two players who many loved their hits, but some questioned whether they could actually play in the NHL where they were played (at one point in time, both were used in top 6 roles).  Specifically, those two players included Ryan Stone and JF Jacques--both of whom are now out of the the lineup due to injuries.  In response to the player shortage, the Oilers have recalled two players who didn't quite show enough to make the team this preseason.  Potulny and Reddox won't be adding a tremendous amount of crust to the Oilers lineup give their relatively small size.

Possible lines:

Of the many shortcomings of the injury/illness plagued Oilers roster this season includes the lack of players who can outscore the opposition at even strength.  At this point that list includes Penner (+10), Hemsky (+5), and Brule(+2)  as well.  Cogliano and Moreau still maintain a +1 rating each at even strength.  On the backend, Visnovsky(+8) and Smid (+10) are the two plus players who've played most of this season's games (Staios is +1 after playing 4 games).  Nilsson's struggled this year and currently has the worst +/- rating on the entire team at -10.  The recent call ups might mean that he spends some time in the press box unless Hemsky is out with a shoulder injury.

Since the Oilers will need at least one line that can outscore the opposition to win, we can expect to see more of Penner/Gagner/Hemsky.  However, Hemsky's playing through a shoulder injury, so he may end up  being a game day decision tomorrow.  Pat Quinn's briefly used the line of Comrie/Brule/O'Sullivan, so that would be my guess for the second line.

Here's my guess:

1. Penner - Gagner - Hemsky? +/- Nilsson
2. Comrie - Brule - O'Sullivan
3. Moreau - Cogliano - Pisani
4. Reddox - Potulny - Stortini

Potulny/Reddox previous stats:

Ryan Potulny:

• 6'0, 190 lbs, Shoots L, Center
  
• AHL this year:  GP 14, G3, A5, P8, +/-  -3, PIM 8
• AHL last year: GP 70, G38, A24, P62, +/-  -11, PIM 48  (leading scorer on Springfield Falcons)
• NHL last year GP 8, G0, A3, P3, +/-  +2, PIM 0
  

Liam Reddox:

• 5'11, 180lbs, Shoots L, Winger
  
• AHL this year: GP 13, G3, A1, P4, +/--9 , PIM 4
• AHL last year: GP 14, G5, A4, P9, +/- -3, PIM 2
• NHL last year: GP 45, G5, A7, P12, +/-  -6, PIM 10
• NHL Corsi rating last season:  -21.7 (2nd worst behind Steve MacIntyre among those who played more than 20 games).

Edmonton Oiler Injury List:

1. Shawn Horcoff - Left shoulder Injury, 7-10 days?
2. JF Jacques - Back spasms, day-to-day
3. Sheldon Souray - Concussion, out indefinitely
4. Ryan Stone - Medial meniscus tear, 1-2 weeks
5. Marc Pouliot - Sports Hernia, 8-10 weeks
6. Ladislav Smid - Flu - day-to-day
7. Ales Hemsky - Shoulder injury - ?game day decision

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