It’s easy to overlook the contributions of an NHL farm club in any given season. During the Edmonton Oilers’ five successful runs to the Stanley Cup, the most important recalls were names like Larry Melnyk and Mike Zanier. These minor-league recalls contributed to team success, but did not (in the years Edmonton won championships) contribute in a vital role.

It’s rare for a player to spend significant time in the AHL and emerge as a foundation piece in the same season. During the 2023-24 campaign, two Bakersfield Condors arrived in time to play substantial roles during the Oilers’ run to the final in the spring of 2024. Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway would eventually leave the organization for the St. Louis Blues, a setback the club is still trying to overcome.

This year’s Condors are an interesting group. The defence has some interesting young prospects (Damien Carfagna, Beau Akey) sprinkled among AHL veterans with NHL experience (Josh Brown, Riley Stillman, Cam Dineen) and an entertaining Finn (Atro Leppanen) who is making progress at that level. I looked at the options in early December.

There are few forwards in Bakersfield this year who could have a material impact on Edmonton’s postseason. Condors currently on the NHL roster (Max Jones) or on the NHL injury list (Connor Clattenburg) aren’t eligible for the ranking. Here’s a look at the current recall ranking among forwards.

1. LW Ike Howard

Howard began the season in Edmonton but is now through 11 games in the AHL with the Condors. He has shown impressive skill (six goals, five at even strength) and is over a point-per-game pace now. His shots per game (2.5) is a match for Holloway as a rookie (2.5), while Howard’s even-strength goal share (13-5, 72 percent) is best on the Bakersfield club and miles better than Holloway in his freshman year (19-21, 48 percent).

Howard is a smaller player (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), and he’s less likely to fulfill a depth winger role that Holloway managed in the playoff spring of 2024. On the other hand, NHL Edge has Howard in the 92nd percentile for max skating speed (Holloway 53rd percentile). Howard can get to the play and have an impact, but not in the same way as Holloway.

The Oilers found Holloway’s utility to be a blessing in the spring of 2024. This edition of the Oilers may find Howard’s goal scoring, speed and passing to be useful in the spring of 2026. Coach Kris Knoblauch has been running Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the No. 1 line at left wing recently, but needs him in the middle on the third line. We may see Howard back in the NHL and on a prominent line after the trade deadline. It’s more likely that general manager Stan Bowman makes a deal for veteran help, though.

2. RW Quinn Hutson

Hutson is the story of the season so far in Bakersfield. He has scored 16 goals in 24 games for the Condors, and is on pace to post 48 in a full season. That would obliterate the Condors franchise record (30 goals by Seth Griffith in 2021-22) and would be one of the highest totals for an Oilers prospect in team history. Here is the list since 1979-80, with Huston’s projection.

PlayerYearTeam (League)Total

Tom Roulston

1980-81

Wichita (CPHL)

63

Dan Currie

1992-93

Cape Breton (AHL)

57

John Leblanc

1989-90

Cape Breton (AHL)

54

Dan Currie

1991-92

Cape Breton (AHL)

50

Quinn Hutson

2025-26

Bakersfield (AHL)

48

Dan Currie

1990-91

Cape Breton (AHL)

47

Ralph Intranuovo

1994-95

Bakersfield (AHL)

46

Colin McDonald

2010-11

Oklahoma City (AHL)

42

Bill McDougall

1992-93

Cape Breton (AHL)

42

Ron Carter

1979-80

Houston (CPHL)

40

Tom McMurchy

1987-88

Nova Scotia (AHL)

40

All numbers via hockeydb

Most of the names listed had strong minor-league seasons but couldn’t establish themselves as NHL players. A player like Dan Currie was a dominant goal scorer for years, but couldn’t make the Oilers annually. Currie was a left winger, and the Edmonton depth chart in those years consisted of names like Craig Simpson, Esa Tikkanen and other youngsters like Martin Gelinas and Adam Graves. Good luck getting more than a quick look in the NHL during those seasons.

Hutson has a nice range of skills and can safely be described as a two-way winger. It’s in that area that he could get a glimpse of the NHL later this season. He isn’t at the level of Howard in terms of recall, but if the Oilers need a right winger with the ability to kill penalties and contribute at even strength, he’s an option.

3. LC James Hamblin

Hamblin is destined to be a “tweener,” which is defined as a player who delivers quality production in the AHL but is unable to push through to an NHL career. He has more offence than shown in his brief NHL auditions, and one suspects he could deliver 10-12 goals if given a full year with the Oilers. He’s a fast, smart player who can kill penalties, win faceoffs and contribute in all areas. The only way he gets a recall would be several injuries at centre, which is unlikely.

4. LC Josh Samanski

Samanski is still coming into view as a player, so like most of this list will be a long shot for recall this season. He has plenty to recommend him. Samanski is a centre, has good size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) and a range of skills. He’s productive offensively (3-14-17 in 24 games), with his 15 even-strength points leading the team. His line is scoring at pace against opponents (50 percent share) at even strength, and he’s a bona fide centre. A recall would be more likely were he a right-handed centre, with next year a reasonable projection for his NHL debut.

5. F Roby Jarventie

Jarventie is healthy and playing his rambunctious style. That’s good news. On the downside, his strong start early has given way to some troubling numbers. Here are his splits at 10 and then 19 games:

GamesPts-GameEV Pts-GameGoal Pct

1-10

1

0.7

47

11-20

0.4

0.3

36

All numbers via theAHL.com

During the period Jarventie was running hot as an offensive player, Bowman chose rugged winger Clattenburg over him for recall. In more recent days, Jarventie has faded as a scorer and outscorer, with Jones getting the call. This could indicate the organization wants Jarventie to play a healthy season before recall, but there are several forwards who have moved ahead of him this season.

Howard’s path

In 2023-24, Holloway was up and down between Bakersfield and Edmonton often. Like Howard, he began the season with the Oilers, but found his way to Bakersfield in early January 2024. He was up and down again in January, back for February in Edmonton and then down to the AHL for March. He was finally back in Edmonton for good on April 9.

Howard’s path this year is at least somewhat similar. He’s the one forward in Bakersfield with the skill set to push his way on to the NHL roster. He has six goals and 13 points in 11 games, and is NHL-ready offensively. When the Oilers recall him next time, it will be to stay.