This is a photo of Eric Rodgers’ work for the 2014-15 Oklahoma City Barons. These are the forwards, defensemen inside. In the summer of 2015, the Oilers drafted Connor McDavid. The team also had Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse NHL-ready, meaning the emerging cluster of talent was beyond elite. As good as it gets.
The AHL doesn’t house many impact types, but role players on good contracts are needed. We’re almost 10 years past the final Barons season. The men who did develop were not the most heralded but they modified their games in order to become useful. What are the success stories from the 2014-15 Oklahoma City Barons telling us about the current Bakersfield Condors?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Why Oilers signing Corey Perry isn’t a surprise — even in these circumstances
- Lowetide: How the Oilers winning the Stanley Cup in 2024 could impact future
- Lowetide: The Edmonton Oilers’ 6 biggest 2023-24 first half surprises
- DNB: Oilers win 13th straight, most by Canadian team in NHL history
- Lowetide: 5 AHL Oilers prospects with the most value ahead of NHL trade deadline
- DNB: Edmonton Oilers midseason report cards
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ Dylan Holloway pick at the 2020 NHL Draft
- DNB: Oilers are back as a Western Conference power
- Lowetide: Could this be the ultimate Edmonton Oilers season?
- DNB: Projecting the Oilers’ 2025-26 salary-cap situation with a Leon Draisaitl extension
- Lowetide: Ranking Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 10 biggest moves
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers complete 2023-24 prospects update
- Lowetide: Oilers close NHL standings gap during a brilliant December run
- Lowetide: What can Dylan Holloway bring the Oilers when he returns?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANURY
- At home to: PHI, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: CHI, DET, MTL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- At home to: TOR, SEA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: CBJ, CHI, NAS (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-3-1, 15 points in 11 games
- Actual January results: 8-0-0, 16 points in 8 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 26-15-1, 53 points in 42 games
A win tonight, combined with a Vegas loss against the New York Islanders, would put the Oilers in second place Pacific Division via winning percentage. Music! The signing of Corey Perry and the fine effort by Dylan Holloway has the Oilers readying themselves for a long post season run.
Ken Holland has time to evaluate Calvin Pickard, to shop for a veteran 7D, to cast about for a RH center-wing. I think that’s the list, but if the problems solve themselves (Pickard, Broberg, Perry, Holloway) will the general manager keep his powder dry? Offload Jack Campbell and fold the Perry and Connor Brown bonuses into this season? My guess is Holland will do what he always does: Acquire a famous person. If that involves Campbell also being sent away, it will solve two birds with one pile of assets out.
THE OKLAHOMA CITY BARONS DEFENSE
Here are the defensemen from the final Barons club. At some point last decade, and maybe it started with Brandon Davidson, the Oilers established a quality pipeline of defensemen who arrived through the AHL. On the list above, all of Oscar Klefbom, Brad Hunt, Jordan Oesterle, Martin Marincin and Davidson enjoyed NHL careers of some length.
Among the forwards above, Anton Lander, Iiro Pakarinen, Tyler Pitlick and Jujhar Khaira enjoyed enough success to be counted as having NHL careers.
THE 2023-24 BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
So, what can we take from the Barons, Rodgers wonderful work and the last decade?
The defenceman who performed at an elite level across the board (Oscar Klefbom) made the NHL and played as a top pairing blue until his career was cut short by injury.
- Philip Broberg: 21 games, 1-13-14 (.67). 17-6 even-strength goals (74 percent)
- Oscar Klefbom: 9 games, 1-7-8 (.89). 17-7 even-strength goals (71 percent)
Now, I understand that Broberg isn’t Klefbom. However, he has dominated the AHL during his time in the league and I think a smart NHL team will come calling. I think Kyle Dubas will see what Broberg is right now. That’s my opinion.
As for the rest of the Condors, I believe the Barons forwards who made it, specifically Khaira and Pitlick, brought enough “extras” to the game and refined their overall skills enough to be support players. Same with the defenders. The better skaters were on defense (Jordan Oesterle is a brilliant skater).
From the current Condors, I do think Max Wanner, Jayden Grubbe, Ben Gleason, Olivier Rodrigue, Xavier Bourgault and Broberg have the best chance to succeed. The 2014-15 Barons sent some fine talent north. Here are their NHL games after the end of that season.
- Tyler Pitlick 388
- Jordan Oesterle 362
- Jujhar Khaira 337
- Oscar Klefbom 301
- Brad Hunt 274
- Brandon Davidson 168
- Martin Marincin 142
- Laurent Brossoit 127
- Iiro Pakarinen 117
- Anton Lander 83
- Andrew Miller 6
- Dillon Simpson 3
There were nine men who played more than 100 games from that 2014-15 Oklahoma City Barons team. I’ll guess it is fewer from the current Condors. I’ll say Broberg, Bourgault, Lavoie, Wanner, Grubbe and Bourgault play 100+ games (I’m not including Dylan Holloway, who is in the NHL and playing).
At noon today, Sports 1440, we hit the ground running with a preview of tonight’s game. Daniel Nugent-Bowman from The Athletic will give us the latest on Corey Perry and more. We should have lineups at noon and confirm Adam Erne clearing waivers (you never ever know). Also looking to talk AJHL, NFL playoffs and NBA.
Holloway with a pretty bad turnover in the 2nd around the defensive goal line and extended a defensive zone shift.
He was right back out there in his rotation.
Now, he doesn’t have a history with this coach (he developed one with Woody making multiple similar mistakes) but it was good to see him take advantage of the contained ice and impact the game in the 3rd.
Helps his case that half the team was turning the puck over for 2 periods last night.
If I am not mistaken, we are now tied for the 5th best regular season win streak (one season). Beat Chicago and we are tied for 3rd.Beat Nashville we are tied for second. Beat Vegas after the All Star break and we are tied for first. Then we face Anaheim to break the record! Dare to dream?
Chicago plays tonight at 8 pm M in Seattle, then tomorrow night at 7 pm M in Edmonton. So 2nd of a back-to-back and 3rd game in 4 nights, all with travel. They are 4-20-1 on the road so far. Schedule Loss night, in other words.
Coach Knob swapped up the lines in the 3rd period and all of the top 3 lines proceeded to score. Incredible.
We have a Coach that can read a game and adapt. Midas Touch=Stanley Cup
In the final two periods of the winning streak games Skinner is at a .968 save percentage, all states.
Is McDavid treating the regular season like Lebron James does, in preparation for playoffs?
I refuse to believe that he is only excellent and not superhuman anymore, so that’s my only conclusion
Do you recall the time in and around the 8 game winning streak – where he moved from like 130th to top 10 in league scoring?
He’s never gone supernova for 82 games – merely excellent with some supernova stretches. To me, the difference now his his “mere excellent” stretches aren’t banking as many points as they had in the past.
Sure. He’s also not usually supernova out the gate and takes 10-20 games to rise to the top. Has he ever been 20 pts behind in the scoring race?
I’ve also not seen him impose his will on many games during this streak, and we all have seen him pass up great shooting opportunities, a stark difference from last season.
Not complaining, it makes the team performance shine brighter because it’s been by committee. It’s just odd to see him this late in the season well off the Art Ross race and unlikely to climb back
Rob Blake made some nice trades last summer.
Durzi traded for a second rounder. 7 goals and 27 points in 49 games. +14. 22 minutes per game. That sure was the addition by subtraction the Kings’ fans wanted.
The heir apparent according to HH, Brandt Clarke played 4 NHL games this season.
Gabe Vilardi was a guy I had suggested the Oilers trade for ages ago when he was lagging as a prospect.
He has 11 goals and 20 points in 26 games.
Meanwhile PLD has 19 points and 9 goals in 44 games. $8.5m cap hit. That’s two more of each than Iafallo. Iafallo was a player I always hated seeing on the ice which means he’s fairly good.
Rob Blake’s a secret agent for the Oilers. The Kings are in their window and Blake helped dilute their talent. The only complaint is that he’s bolstered a now strong Jets team.
Maybe Blake’s really playing 4d chess.
He bolstered the Jets, so that they wouldn’t trade DeMelo to us as a deadline rental.
Then he helped out the Coyotes, so they’re in the hunt for a wildcard spot and don’t trade us anything at the deadline like Dumba, Ingram, or Bjugstad.
I enjoyed this post.
VGK win, but Flames lose.
Nice rope-a-dope road game by the boys tonight.
Fuhr was only 5’10 little jitterbug. Different times.
also, the TV just flashed Cart Heart out now? Personal reasons
Andy Moog and Mike Palmateer were both 5’9” 170 reflex machine. I loved them both utube Palmateer saves he was pure entertainment.
Tonight reminded me of many a game in the DoD where the Oil worked hard, held possession only to have mature teams with a solid goalie take a stranglehold as the game went on.
It’s nice to be on the other side but I wouldn’t mind a Rembrandt one of these days!
Well, don’t know if we can say Skinner stole one after such a dominant 3rd period, but he certainly stole two thirds of one.
Oilers finally started to exit the zone as a connected group with short passes, threw the body around, got a forecheck going and got pucks tot he front of the net and the Jackets had no answer.
Not a great win, but a great find a win. Thank your goalie for giving you that chance, Oilers.
The BJ’s broadcast with an interesting stat:
Sam Gagner is the first player in NHL history to be part of two 14+ game winning streaks.
Which team was he with when he did it the first time?
Columbus
Funny that. Columbus now is lucky to win 14 games in half a season…
its in the name Ganger 😆
Play Labamba
team casual
Me thinks they need a new win song. Starting to get over-played!
Recommendations?
I don’t mind listening to that song after every game for the rest of the season.
Not till next year!
I hope the dam song is drilled into my head. Over, and over, and over….till June
I hope it’s playing after the last game the Oilers play this season. After that it can be retired.
Heck I want to play it 4 times in the SCF series. I would also love to see Ben Stelter’s name on the cup! Loved that little guy.
Periods 1 + 2 = turds. Period 3 = GEM. Skinner should be 1 st star
Boogity boogity!
Never in doubt
Ha! I think the Oilers want to have an abusive relationship with their fanbase.
At some point, it’s going to get better. They don’t mean anything by it, they just can’t help themselves.
Is it really abuse when they keep winning though?
Win the Cup, and all is forgiven.
This team – so bad through two – no energy, seemingly no try (although I will never say they aren’t trying), so sloppy, so little battle, the opposite of crisp and totally reliant on their tender to keep them in a game against a very poor team.
Then, boom, the 3rd period, they score early, roll with the momentum but also, all of a sudden, LOCK IT DOWN – smart plays, structured breakouts, no giveaway, barely even a shot against let alone a scoring chance – dominant and mature period.
The concern is them starting to believe that they can just flip a switch and/or play 1 period and win – that’s the type of attitude that leads to 2-9-1.
I have to presume they realize they will not be able to do that going forward against good teams.
thank you for that
McDavid and Draisaitl have yet to go nuclear. I think what they’re doing right now is more sustainable than what we’ve seen in previous hot stretches.
They both have as undynamic a game as either can have.
And each managed a point for their efforts.
I don’t think it is a matter of “flicking a switch”. Every team has a stretch where things don’t rhyme. I think they are in that space for the last few games, but have the resolve to keep battling the right way and eventually to grind their game back into normal for a short while to get the wins. They are learning and internalizing the right process and trusting in that process, especially under adversity. THAT bodes well for the playoffs, I would think.They know, to a man, what the first 1/4 of the season looked like and the memory is fresh. I would think that is motivating them to really take that next step. That horrid start may end up being a blessing in disguise perhaps? JMHO though.
Beat the trap game and their own sleepy play for their 14th win in a row. Bring on the Hawks.
Stu deserves first star tonight for keeping them in it for two periods.
Bonus star for an awesome interview with Gene.
McLeod made that all happen. What a difference that guy’s improved play has made for this team
Size speed and skill all starting to blossom
They aren’t elite, but they are the beginning of the next core, both play C
Which is why you don’t trade them for any reason but you are getting a major young return
I don’t have a single problem with the Holloway draft pick. That guy is for real.
Now I’m starting to question whether Brown is trying to NOT score on purpose.
Is he the Oilers’ scoring drought Jesus or something?
Does the NHL keep track of the number of consecutive empty-net point-blank misses?
Doesn’t shoot it hard or accurate. Not much NHL caliber there anymore
Once again, Foegele and McLeod, not only big contributors to the offence, but somewhat leading the offensive charge.
On paper this game looks a lot better.
OMG Holloway. How did Brown miss that wide open net … shot it right at Elvis?
Almost as good as Brown scoring
Better as Holloway is part of the future not just another 56 games (all wins).
Good for the kid after all the rehab. 👏🏒
Wow, that was a beautiful goal.
Kudos to Kulak for trying to set up Brown.
I’m going to start calling him Connor B. FWIW.
He’s Charlie Brown and every puck passed to him is Lucy pulling the football.
Love to see a Holloway goal.
Listen closely – you are in the process of hearing a “pop”.
as long as it’s not his shoulder or ACL… 😉
Great for Holloway.
Hollowayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!
Hollywood!
HOLLYWOOOOOOD!!!
For such a big man Kane sure gets hurt and easy – other than the skate
Hollywood! Brown so close
The team is so much better at standing up teams at their blue line and not allowing the other team to have clean entries.
All those cries to fire Dustin Schwartz when the goalie(s) were playing bad – what about now? It he deserved criticism for bad tending what about praise for a long stretch of elite tending?
The only thing I’ve criticized him for was telling Holland to choose Campbell over and Kuemper and he still owns that horrible gaffe.
While he has built a solid relationship with Skinner, Schwartz has earned his fair share of criticism. There has been a lot of bad to atrocious goaltending in EDM over his tenure.
I’m not going to dredge through the weeds after a victory.
Its time to start considering Mark Stuart for Jack Adams……
No – you give that to KK for finding a clear role for a coach he didn’t have any history with and trust Stuart to do his job. Under Woodcroft we had no idea what Stuart’s role on the coaching staff.
Unlike Woodcroft who brought Manson with him, KK has had to forge ahead with three guys he didn’t know at all. That’s one of the most impressive things about our new coach.
He’s being facetious and by doing so praising the PK.
#rarehumor
That playoff game with Calgary where Smith scored the own goal off Fuhr’s heel was a little bit like that. The Oilers were not playing poorly that game, but they weren’t playing their best. But in the last 5-10 minutes of the game they unleashed hell on the Flames, but couldn’t get the goal the needed. Then the bounce off the heel and the game was gone.
I was at work and it was on the radio
You could hear them build, and usually that meant a goal or two
Horrible. Crushing
When Gretzky went commando it usually meant a pair of goals in one shift.
Yup
2nd worst moment in Oilers history.
Oilers PK has been something else! Berlin wall effective. Has played a huge part in the win streak.
that is an incredible stat, Jack
Ok now I can breathe again. We got this.
Vinny slamming Johnny down to the ice was awesome. Love that guy.
You could tell when it was happening. Glen Anderson would look like a total zombie for most of the game. Then he turned on the eye glare.
An enigma
Horrible all game, playoff OT comes and unstoppable
It’s Hyman – gotta challenge, it’s the law!!!!
The 80’s Oilers would have games like this. Total starch for 50 minutes or so, then 5-10 minutes of life, putting the game away.
My constitution has less tolerance for this style of play now.
Accurate
Where did Johnny hockey go??
He never came
Invisible other than the breakaway
I think the teen size player experiment is ending
He thought it was a playoff game.
Well said
Hahaha
poor Johnny
He got ploughed into the ice by Vinny – only time I noticed him all night.
Oilers put their work boots on and started playing heavy hockey.
Ahhh who needs to play 3 periods to win a game…..
This team is just playing with us! Lol
They were coasting. They turn it on when they need to. They’re having a good time.
Not only was Hyman pushed in but Merzlikins totally flopped to try and play it up and took himself further out of position.
Good non-challenge.