We are back with another update on the Bakersfield Condors. This week we will spotlight Jayden Grubbe and touch on the other prospects’ productions.
Grubbe highlights the week
I said two weeks ago, when the flooding began, that Jayden Grubbe was starting to make himself more noticeable and score more. Now, he has scored two goals and has started to break out offensively and defensively. When it comes to this rise in play, I will honestly say I did not expect it so early in his professional career. But he has definitely surprised me, and now he is showing signs of not just being a good energy player for the Edmonton Oilers in the future;he is also showing signs of being a good third line scorer who can be dangerous in front of the net.
In the last 10 games Jayden has played, he has scored two goals and two assists. In his last five games, he has scored one goal and one assist. It is not just the stats that are steadily rising that has been impressive. It is also his hockey sense on the ice he is displaying when he is creating chances, making smart passes, and checking back in the defensive zone. I have been very impressed by him and he highlights my standout of the week. I will also give honourable mentions to Max Wanner and Carter Savoie.
Other Condors Prospects
I will give an update on all Oilers prospects that are playing for the Condors.
Forwards
- Xavier Bourgault had continued his slow pace the last week which was a little concerning offensively. But then the last two games, he managed to find his game offensively and scored one goal and two assists. He’s now up to three points in his last five games and he’s regained his confidence. What’s very good and promising to see about Bourgault is that, even when he’s not scoring, he is still very much a positive impact on the ice when it comes to defensive play and penalty killing.
- Ty Tullio has continued his good forechecking and hitting in the shifts he has taken for the Condors. He’s been disruptive and a pest for the opposition and it’s always great to see his compete and effort on the ice. Like I said at the starting of January, the Oilers have an NHL player here. But his offensive play has fallen off the last 10 games. Even though he is Bourgault’s linemate, he still has only one assist in his last 10 games. He will need to pick up his offensive game and, in my opinion, deserves more power play time.
- Matvei Petrov scored a goal in his last game and he displayed his great shot, along with his nose for the net. He has two goals in his last 10 games. This, once again, brings up my annoyance with Head Coach Colin Chaulk. This is a player that deserves a bit more ice time out there over players like Seth Griffith.
- My second player of the week, Carer Savoie has continued his pace in the last five games as he has rattled off one goal and two assists. He’s up to six points in 10 games and he has finally heard what he needs to do more: shoot the puck. The kid is finally shooting the puck and he is getting rewarded for it. This is a high risk, high reward player and he has started to show more of his acclimation to professional hockey. I am very pleased to see this.
- Raphael Lavoie deserves an opportunity in the NHL—a top six opportunity. He has slowed down a bit in his last five games as he’s scored one goal and one assist, but he is still up to seven points in his last 10 games. He has brought his physical edge up and his playmaking has increased a ton, especially on the power play. I feel that, if the Oilers do not give him a chance, other teams will come calling for his services via trade.
Defence
- Philip Broberg is ready. He is ready to be a top-four defenceman on the Oilers and that’s where he should be right now. In his last five games, he has scored six assists and nine points in his last 10 games. That is just offensively. He’s been leading the team in plus-minus and ice time. His defensive play has been the best on the ice along with his breakout plays. These have been either him rushing the puck out, a transition play, or his first pass out of the zone. All are way too good for the AHL. I believe that he should be Vincent Desharnais’ partner in the NHL, in Brett Kulak’s spot. But I do not think he will get an opportunity yet. The Oilers should not trade him unless a Mattias Ekholm like deal comes along.
- Max Wanner is now Mr. Steady and he has continued his solid play along with some more growth in his offensive game. He’s scored four points in his last 10 games and, most notably, he scored one goal and two assists in his last five games. The plays he made to gain his points were very good. The passing he made on his two assists were very heady and came with some good recognition and hockey sense. His goal was also amazing and surprising. On a partial breakaway, off of a pass by a fellow teammate, Wanner made a great move to the backhand to beat the opposing goaltender. It was very impressive and his offensive game will continue to grow as he plays more. I am very excited to see what he will do in the future.
Goaltending
- Olivier Rodrigue unsustainable pace did come to an end but it did not decrease by a very wide margin. In his last six games, he has allowed 17 goals, but he has also had a lot of shots on him as his save percentage is still an impressive .907. In the last two games, he has refocused his game and has only allowed five goals. A player will always go through a short decrease in play and that is what Rodrigue is going through. However, it is very impressive to see that it is not as bad as the problems that other goalies go through. He has still displayed himself as a veteran in the lineup and on the ice. From his last two games, it is looking like Rodrigue is coming back to his stellar self. In his last 15 games, he has a GAA of 2.46 and a save percentage of .924.
