Edmonton Oilers
Oilers Call Up Hutson and Howard From AHL as Trade Rumors Swirl
The Edmonton Oilers are recalling Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson from the AHL and that could lead to more trade talk.
The Edmonton Oilers have decided to call up two well-deserving young prospects from the AHL who have arguably played better than some of the main roster mainstays. Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson are both being recalled from Bakersfield and will join the team as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Of course, with the callups, speculation will be everywhere about what happens with the roster beyond the decision to send Max Jones down on Thursday. Howard has posted 23 points in 16 AHL games after beginning the season in the NHL and is coming off a Hobey Baker-winning NCAA season. Hutson has 32 points in 26 AHL games, scored his first NHL goal in December, and both players enter the recall on hot scoring streaks.
The questions now will be where these two players are slotted in the lineup, how often they play and who they are replacing. The struggling forwards who aren’t getting anything done for Edmonton include Andrew Mangiapane, Trent Frederic, Mattias Janmark, and Adam Henrique. Some have no-moves, some no-trades, and others, like Mangiapane, are the subject of recent trade rumors.
Mangiapane was recently elevated to the second line, in a loss to the Boston Bruins, where he was quickly pulled off Leon Draisaitl‘s wing and used in limited minutes after the experiment to showcase him failed. Mangiapane says he’s going to focus on playing hockey and improving his game with the team, despite trade rumours, but he’s also reportedly open to a trade if there’s a better opportunity out there.
Calling up Hutson and Howard suggests his opportunities in Edmonton are only going to diminish.
For the Oilers, using Howard and Hutson correctly will be an important part of their transition from the AHL to the NHL. Both have shown they can score, but it’s not going to be helpful, nor are they best utilized if playing under eight minutes a game on the fourth line.
A call-up only matters if it comes with meaningful ice time. It’s likely best to reserve judgment until we see how they’re actually used.
Next: Oilers Demote Max Jones, Forward Coming Back Into Lineup
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