Ahead of tonight’s Battle of Alberta versus the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton Oilers have made a small tweak to their roster. Forward Dylan Holloway has been recalled from the Bakersfield Condors while James Hamblin has been loaned back in place.
Dylan Holloway season recap
Holloway, who last played a game for the Oilers on November 13th against the New York Islanders, spent just over a month and a half on LTIR after that game. He suffered a knee injury after crashing awkwardly into the boards.
He was activated off of LTIR on January 3rd and has since been playing for the Condors, where he has four points in four games.
The NHL season did not get off to a great start for Holloway, as he had just one assist in 14 games before the injury.
With the Oilers in the midst of a 12 game win streak, they will not want to be tinkering with the lineup too much. But a possible nagging injury to Evander Kane could mean Holloway finds himself with an opportunity to play in the top-six with players who are performing well. If not, his likely landing spot is on the third line, potentially as a centre.
Holloway was present at the Oilers’ morning skate, and could potentially suit up against the Flames tonight.
James Hamblin back to Bakersfield
Hamblin’s 2023–24 season has been a massive success story for himself and the organization. Signing as an undrafted free agent a few years ago with his hometown team, he has quickly established himself as a hard working, gritty forward with a sneaky good shot as he works his way up in the organization. This season, in which he has so far spent 31 games with the Oilers, was his longest stretch in the NHL yet.
Playing fourth line minutes, averaging just under eight minutes of ice time per game, Hamblin had two goals and one assist thus far. Including a touching and emotional tribute to his late mother after scoring his first career goal.
But he has already begun to win the favour of Oil Country by being a hard working energy player who makes himself noticeable on the ice, even with his limited minutes.
Hamblin is certainly at the top of the list for a recall if the team needs.
