Edmonton Oilers
Oilers Demote Max Jones, Forward Coming Back Into Lineup
The Edmonton Oilers have sent Max Jones to the AHL, making room for the more skilled Kasperi Kapanen to return to the lineup.
The Edmonton Oilers are sending forward Max Jones back down to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. The speculation is that this move is being made to create roster space for the returning Kasperi Kapanen.
Jones made the most of his recent opportunity, turning in his best stretch as an Oiler. However, Kapanen is the better forward and back on the ice at practice, so it’s a situation where one player had to go out for the other to return. Kapanen is faster, more skilled, and just as physical, making him the more complete option when healthy.
Jones was a solid fourth-line player, but a regular on a robust NHL roster. Kapanen has shown he can contribute both on the fourth line and potentially even in a third-line role, where the Oilers clearly need help. Like most depth players, Kapanen does have consistency issues but he’s fast enough to play with top-line forwards and gritty enough to make life on any opponent more challenging.
Cap considerations played a role in this move, as Kapanen ($1.3M) or Jones ($1.0M) are pretty close. That is, unless other moves are coming that involve more salary and contracts being juggled throughout the lineup.
Down in Bakersfield, prospects Quinn Hutson and Ike Howard continue to push for NHL looks, and some fans are wondering — if not crossing their fingers — that Jones going down means one of those two are coming up.
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