A Visit To The Edmonton Oilers Farm Team
By Phil Gretzky
Markus Niemelainen
We’ll start with the more familiar of the two names. Niemelainen is a stay-at-home physical left defenceman who has played 53 NHL games for the Oilers over the last two seasons, however now he finds himself buried behind Philip Broberg, as well as Brett Kulak, Darnell Nurse, and Mattias Ekholm higher up the lineup.
He was drafted in the third round of 2016 and although he has earned two separate call-ups over two seasons, he hasn’t stuck with a roster spot.
His value to the organization at this point is more of a trade chip and an injury fill-in. Perhaps Holland could get a fourth-round pick for him in the offseason.
At any rate, don’t expect Niemelainen back in the Oilers lineup anytime soon unless a wave of injuries happens – they may call him up for the taxi squad for the playoffs, though.
Cam Dineen
Left D Cam Dineen was the prospect piece coming back from Arizona in the Nick Bjugstad deadline deal in exchange for sending them, Michael Kesselring.
Dineen is the second leading scorer for Bakersfield this season with 4-38-42 in 60 games. So why hasn’t he been called up yet you say?
Probably since he’s -11 on the season, per the Condors website. Once Dineen can learn how to play without the puck better he might just earn himself a call-up. We all know Ken Holland likes his players to be sound defensively, even if they’re at the bottom of the roster. Expect Dineen to stay put in Bakersfield until he shows improvement in this area. I’m assuming Jay Woodcroft doesn’t want to deal with an Erik Karlsson type…..