Oilers at Panthers, G24 2025-26

The Edmonton Oilers did something out of the ordinary yesterday, recalling rookie pro forward Connor Clattenburg. When an organization makes this kind of unusual transaction, we are left to figure out why.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER

• At home to: Chicago (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0
• Road: Blues, Stars (Expected 1-1-0) Actual 0-1-1
• At home to: Avalanche, Blue Jackets (1-0-1) Actual 1-1-0
• On the road to: Flyers, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes (1-2-0) Actual 2-1-0
• On the road to: Sabres, Capitals, Lightning, Panthers (1-2-1) Actual 0-2-1
• At home to: Stars (1-0-0)
• On the road to: Kraken (0-0-1)
• Expected Record: 6-5-3, 15 points in 14 games
• Actual Record 4-5-2, 10 points in 11 games
• Season Record: 9-9-5, 23 points in 23 games

We knew it was going to be a tough month, and NHL opponents have delivered. The Oilers need to go 2-0-1 to match my prediction, that seems a little out there from this vantage point. The team is playing better.

A CONVERSATION

Connor Clattenburg is in the NHL! Yes he is. I don’t believe it will be a long stay.

Is that because you’re a dink? No, those two things are unrelated, although I can see why you might make the connection.

You never liked him! I don’t know him, impossible to like or dislike. I have seen him score goals that show good hands, I’ve seen him fight (and win) and I’ve seen him play with great energy.

What’s the problem, then? I think “problem” frames it incorrectly. On the face of it, this is a success story. Clattenburg was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft, and he’s going to play tonight. By any measure, this is good news.

He’s the first Oilers draft pick to make his NHL debut in years! Feels like it, but Shane Lachance played in his first NHL game a week ago for the New Jersey Devils. He was part of the cost in the Trent Frederic deal.

Why won’t he stay in the NHL for more than one game? He might, one never knows. Kelly Buchberger was a late draft pick and played in three playoff games during his rookie pro season. It does happen.

Why won’t he stay in the NHL for the rest of the season? The numbers suggest he is not NHL ready. In 15 games, Clattenburg has scored one goal and two points, and his even-strength goal share doesn’t compare well to other Condors forwards.

How do I know those numbers are accurate? Well I count them manually each game, so a mistake is possible. I’m comfortable with publishing them, but would of course recount if there’s a question about a player. The numbers make sense, though, it’s a giant leap from junior hockey to the AHL for most fifth-round picks who are age 20 in rookie pro seasons.

Why would the Oilers bring him up for one game? A few reasons.

Oh good, let me walk across the virtual library from the non-fiction to fiction section. Good idea.

What is the most likely reason? It’s old school, but this could be a “Sean Shanahan” moment. Stan Bowman’s Dad Scotty Bowman was part of that historic moment, and maybe Stan is taking a page from the old man.

What is the Sean Shanahan moment? Bowman coached the Habs to the 1973 Stanley Cup, but the Philadelphia Flyers won the two following championships. Bowman grew tired of the physical intimidation, and in a September 1975 preseason game dressed Shanahan and Glenn Goldup. He then put them on the ice with Doug Risebrough (a nasty piece of business and he was a fine player) along with Larry Robinson and Pierre Bouchard. Both defensemen were big and Robinson could fight. Legend has it the Canadiens won all five fights and put an end to the physical intimidation that allowed the Flyers to win those Stanleys.

You’re seriously suggesting a rookie is going to take on the Florida Panthers? No, but he can crash and bang and has an idea about how to fight. If Clattenburg upsets a few Panthers, that will have an impact. I doubt we see a line brawl, but Nurse and Frederic may fight tonight as well if my theory holds water.

What are your other theories? Well, sometimes a recall can serve as a distraction. This one might be the front end news that would ease the pain of the back end news. For instance, Jake Walman and Alec Regula were hurt in the last game. If we get some bad news on either today, or God forbd both, well Clattenburg’s recall served to give the fan base some sugar before the Cod Liver Oil.

Any other theories? A few. They include waking up the team, although that seems to have happened already. It’s also always a good idea to send a positive message to the minor-league players. If Clattenburg can be recalled, so can any of these players who are performing well. Finally, maybe he’s that rare player who the scouts missed for four rounds. The AHL numbers suggest he isn’t ready, but maybe he is ready.

When was the last time Edmonton recalled a player out of order like this? This is an unusual move for sure. I’ll pick Curtis Hamilton, April 9, 2015. He had his best AHL season that year but the team wouldn’t bring him back for the following campaign. Hamilton took a five-minute penalty on (I recall) his first shift and damn near got thrown out. He ended up hitting a few people. I suspect Clattenburg will also hit a few people this evening.

Aside from not being NHL ready what do you think of him. In my article at The Athletic (here) up today I wrote “it would also be hyperbole to suggest Clattenburg is without talent, or that he’s not a true prospect. He can skate, has good hands and is fearless. He does need experience in the AHL.”