By The Numbers – #26 Kurtis Foster

Picking up where we last left off, we now review Kurtis Foster’s 2010-11 campaign.

Kurtis Foster is from beautiful Carp, Ontario. Photo courtesy Edmonton Oilers

NAME:  Kurtis Foster

SWEATER NUMBER: 26

DOB: 24 NOV 1981 (29)

POSITION: Defence

NUMBERS: 8G-14A-22 PTS, 45 PIM in 74 GP

2010-11 SALARY/CONTRACT: $1,800,000, ($1.8M cap hit) will be UFA on July 1st, 2012

THE SKINNY

Out of all areas this team needed to improve on, the case for defence is a strong one.

Enter Kurtis Foster in July.  Foster signed a two year deal with the Edmonton Oilers for $1.8M per year, to try and shore up a defence that needs a lot of work.  Unfortunately for Foster, it’s going to take a lot more than Kurtis Foster to shore up the Edmonton Oilers defence.

One of Foster’s strong suits is his shot – if he’s got a chance to take one from the blue, it’s a worthwhile cause.  Foster had five powerplay goals in 2010-11, and if he’s able to capitalize while on the powerplay, then it’s a worthwhile cause to get him the disc.  Unluckily for Foster, his significant minutes aren’t spent while the Oilers are a man up.

Foster’s 5v5 time was a forgettable event in 2010.  He averaged about 17.5 minutes per game, which was the lowest of the six regulars that started the season.  His -12 plus/minus put him three slots from the Edmonton floor.  Foster’s shooting percentage was just about 4.5%, and over half of his goals were on the powerplay.

Foster gets a nice feed from Linus Omark at even strength.  No one even saw Foster walk in.

WHAT COULD BE

Foster will need to have a rebound 2011-12.  Assuming he’ll be with the club in 2011-12, he’s likely to open as a  third line guy.  I’d like to see Foster on the powerplay a little bit more, as I think it’s more than just a coincidence that five of his eight goals came while a man up.  His shot is one of his greatest assets, so park him in on the blue and let him work.  Expect similar stats from Foster in 2011-12 in the range of 20-25 points.

7G-14A-21 PTS

Next player: #28 Ryan Jones

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