Edmonton Oilers: What’s Going to Happen to Tyler Pitlick
If there was any chance for Tyler Pitlick to make his mark with the Edmonton Oilers, the recently concluded month of September would have been the most crucial time. Unfortunately once again Pitlick failed to stick with the big club, resulting in his demotion to the Bakersfield Condors.
At 23 years old, speculation has risen as to whether or not he still has a future with the Oilers. There is a realistic possibility that he could be traded elsewhere to receive a clean slate or he can simply be buried in the minors for good. One has to assume that his days with the organization are numbered.
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Pitlick, the first pick in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft was part of a historic year that saw the Oilers select first overall for the first time in franchise history. Former GM Steve Tambellini was at the helm of the organization during that time.
Pitlick certainly has appealing attributes as a player. He has decent size standing 6″2 and weighing 193 lbs. On the ice his stride is powerful and his transitions are quick. He has the necessary speed to keep up to the fast paced action of the NHL. Physicality is an obvious quality Pitlick possesses as well. He can use the strength of his body effectively and lay down solid hits on the fore check. I wouldn’t say he has a comparable skill set to that of an elite prospect, but Pitlick does have decent puck skills and a great shot when he can connect with it.
When he was drafted out of Minnesota State University-Mankato as a 17 year old, it appeared the Oilers were getting a big bodied, skilled forward with great two-way ability. He put up modest offensive numbers in 2009/2010 with the Mavericks, posting 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in 38 games. After being drafted, he opted to play in the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2010/2011. In 56 games for the Tigers, he racked up 62 points.
Overall, in the early stages of his development, he made decent progress. Although he did not dominate in Medicine Hat, he still scored at a considerably successful, consistent rate. Those results provided more than enough reason to have optimism for Pitlick’s growth.
Tyler Pitlick’s development as a prospect has been subjected to much criticism since turning pro in 2011/2012. He has struggled to establish himself as a legitimate offensive threat, posting very mediocre numbers over the last 4 seasons playing in the AHL.
In 2013/2014, hope for Pitlick’s offence was rekindled as he posted 22 points in 39 games for the Oklahoma City Barons. In 2014/2015 he had 9 points in 14 games, although his season was derailed by an injury. These are not earth shattering offensive numbers, but they are a positive sign that he is capable of producing offence to some degree.
So far, Pitlick has played in 27 NHL games. He only has 3 goals and 4 penalty minutes. Those numbers are not even close to convincing anyone that he should be a regular NHL’er, let alone a top 6 forward. We saw Pitlick play quite well last season before he was injured. Even when he returned to the lineup at the end of the season he still showed some jam. However, I am more than convinced that Tyler Pitlick will not be an offensive dynamo. If he wants a full time NHL job, it will have to be in a bottom 6 role. The biggest concern with Pitlick is he cannot produce enough offence at the NHL level. He can’t stay healthy. Not only that, he can be unnoticeable at times. He needs to be a factor, not a passenger.
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Which brings me to this years training camp. Unfortunately, Pitlick did not show enough at camp this year. Although he was in tough for a roster spot from the very start, I felt he was in the best situation he has ever been in his career with the organization to make the team. After playing quite well for the Oilers in 17 games last season, I felt that Pitlick was finally establishing himself on the team. The lack of offence was an issue, but he was playing aggressively and contributing in other areas effectively.
It was surprising to me that Pitlick was sent down this year. I thought he would be a final cut at least. He had such a great camp last year and put the organization in a tough position to make a final call. This year, the decision seemed easier as Pitlick did not have the best preseason showing. He was a non-factor. As a result, he was cut early.
Now, Tyler Pitlick’s future with the Oilers appears to be unclear. He has missed out on yet another key opportunity to establish himself as an NHL’er. There is a chance that he will be called up at some point this season. However, he is currently on a one year deal so this season is definitely his last chance. His only hope now is to produce solid numbers in Bakersfield and get called up when injuries hit the Oilers roster this season.
I am not writing off Pitlick completely. There was a time when I had my doubts on Anton Lander and look what happened to him. Pitlick is still relatively young and could potentially get a clean slate elsewhere if Peter Chiarelli decides to trade him at some point. He still has potential but the window to the NHL is closing for Pitlick. Time is running out. You can only give a guy so many chances. With the Oilers having incredible depth at forward, Pitlick is up against great odds. He will have to really impress in the AHL to get another chance in the show.