Bryan Pitton Signed

by Jonathan Willis on May 14, 2008 4:05 PM MDT

Bryan Pitton today signed a three-year NHL Entry Level Contract with the Oilers. Let's take a look at what the organization now has in the system for goaltenders, along with statistics and league last year:

Bjorn Bjurling - SEL - 2.40GAA, .928SV%
Jeff Deslauriers - AHL - 2.90GAA, .912SV%
Devan Dubnyk - AHL - 3.12GAA, .904SV%
Glenn Fisher - ECHL - 3.36 GAA, .903SV%
Bryan Pitton - OHL - 2.54GAA, .911SV%

The number one option among the Oilers goalies at this point is clearly the 28-year old Bjurling who has posted save percentages of .928, .913, .923, and .920 in the SEL. If the Oilers plan to bring him over, as has been reported, than it is a pretty good bet he'll get first crack at the backup job, ala Jussi Markkanen, and that Roloson is out of town. The question than becomes which of Dubnyk/Deslauriers gets the starter's job in Springfield.

If on, the other hand, Bjurling returns to Europe, and Roloson is dealt, Jeff Deslauriers almost certainly will get a chance at the backup position, leaving Dubnyk to play a season as AHL starter, which he almost certainly needs. Pitton could start in the ECHL, and Fisher could be Springfield's seldom-used backup, since at this point he's clearly minor league fodder.

My preference would be for Bjurling to come over, and the organization to send one of Deslauriers/Dubnyk packing, with the other recieving the bulk of AHL minutes. Pitton/Fisher could fight for time in the ECHL, and a minor league vet could be signed to be Springfield's backup.

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Bjurling signed a 1-year extension with his SEL-team in april 2008 so I dont think he is coming over to Edmonton.

from Sodertalje Sk's site through google translate:

"[2008-04-11] Today, it became clear that goalie Björn Bjurling remaining in the SSK also coming season. "He has done it very well and has had a steady and stable throughout the season," comments rekryteringsansvarige Stefan Nyman."

by shep on May 15, 2008 4:25 AM MDT reply actions

Interesting, and unfortunate for Edmonton.

by Jonathan Willis on May 15, 2008 8:26 AM MDT reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	54	34	15	5	73
Colorado Mile High Hockey	56	28	25	3	59
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	54	25	21	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	55	25	22	8	58
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	54	21	28	5	47

(updated 2.11.2012 at 6:02 AM MST)

21 - 28 - 5

Streak: Lost 2

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	12:00 PM MST
Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Wed 02/15	8:00 PM MST
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Fri 02/17	7:30 PM MST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sun 02/19	7:00 PM MST
@ Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	Tue 02/21	7:00 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	L 2 - 4
@ Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Mon 02/06	L 3 - 6
Detroit Winging It In Motown	Sat 02/04	SO - W 5 - 4
Chicago Second City Hockey	Thu 02/02	W 8 - 4
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 01/31	W 3 - 2