Edmonton Oilers recall prospective defenseman, send Marcus Niimelainen back to AHL

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The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Philip Broberg and sent Marcus Niimelainen into the minors.

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1. Niimelainen didn’t make much of an impression, so it’s no surprise he moved. He was below average moving the puck, was simply OK when it came to his defensive fundamentals, and too often lacked the one aspect of his game that propelled him to the NHL: physical play. can i see him again Perhaps, but he needs to step up each aspect of his play at his AHL level.

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2. Who knows what we’re getting when it comes to Broberg? The expectations are certainly there, as evidenced by goals like Bobby Orr in the AHL last week. But even going into the season, there were big questions about Broberg. Was he the Philip Broberg who wowed Edmonton Oilers coaches and insiders at training camp for the 2020 play-in round? Was mentioned as one of the prospects. The Broberg I saw in Sweden last time was dominating the game with his physicality and dynamic play? Or was he Philip Broberg, especially when the Oilers were able to draft young American scorers like Trevor Zeglas and Cole Caulfield in 2019? Broberg? What about Bloberg, who saw less and less ice time for his club team in Sweden’s top league as the season and playoffs progressed?

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3. On top of all these questions, Broberg couldn’t bring his ‘A’ game in training camp. We know now, but we didn’t know at the time, that much of his weak play in camp was related to injuries he picked up early on. We have seen the same thing this year with Kyler Yamamoto. But injuries are part of professional hockey, and as recently seen with Oscar Clefbomb, injuries can end careers, and players who get injured often tend to reach their full potential. After recovering from his initial injury, Broberg sliced ​​his hand while cutting meat. He’s now back from it and playing good enough to be recalled.

4. The Broberg recall makes sense. The Oilers are struggling defensively. Brett Kulak has yet to prove he is capable as a D-man in a second pairing at the NHL level. Ryan Murray and Niimelainen bottom He is uninspiring in a pairing, Niimelainen is unimpressive in the pack, Murray is unimpressive without it, and he gave up a lot of time and space in the zone. Broberg might do better.