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A Goaltending Conundrum

The goaltender pictured is Bryan Pitton. He's had a bad season in Stockton as a rookie pro, getting handily outplayed by his backup, the undrafted Andrew Perugini. Here are their numbers:

Pitton: 30GP, 3.34 GAA, .890 SV%
Perugini: 28GP, 2.78 GAA, .911 SV%

Imagine my surprise when, this morning, I came across the fact that Bryan Pitton has been recalled by the Springfield Falcons. Bizarre, yes?

So I looked around for some sort of reason for the recall, and found nothing. I knew that on Tuesday, Devan Dubnyk had a collision with the Manchester Monarch's Marc-Andre Cliche, but I've seen nothing to indicate Dubnyk was hurt on the play, and he did finish the game. Then a possibility occured to me.

Earlier in the year, Perugini and Pitton were sent to the ECHL while journeyman minor-leaguer Glenn Fisher was the backup in Springfield. It was a strange move, given that Fisher's ECHL save percentage the year before had been only .903, but it soon made sense. Dubnyk played every game until he was too weak to strap on equipment, and then Fisher would get a start. I suspect that something similar is happening here.

Why, though, would this organization need a backup, with Dubnyk and Dany Sabourin providing effective AHL goaltending? Well, with the passing of the trade deadline, roster limits are relaxed, allowing the Oilers to have more than 23 players on their NHL roster.

I believe the Oilers are going to call up Dany Sabourin. Does anyone have an alternative theory?

Update

Pitton was apparently recalled as a precaution; Dany Sabourin suffered an injury that turned out to be minor. So much for reading the tea leaves.

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments

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Comments

Display:

I think you're right on the money Jonathan. And I hope he plays a game before Roly breaks down. Seriously.

by R-Gib on Mar 6, 2009 7:56 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

How many more games does Jeff Deslauriers need to sit out before he can be sent down for another conditioning stint? Or does it even matter now that we're past the trade deadline?

by Bob Arctor on Mar 6, 2009 8:24 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

@ Bob Arctor:

I don't think it matters now, except that the Oilers have a set limit on transactions with their AHL team (I think Gregor said 4 yesterday). I'd imagine that if Sabourin is called up the Oilers just keep JDD on their NHL roster.

by Jonathan Willis on Mar 6, 2009 8:54 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

I think you are right about Sabourin being recalled.
But why is Perugini not being called up: I believe he is on an AHL/ECHL contract, so why wouldn't the Oilers brass want to see how well he can do against the AHL in a few games for re-signing him?

by B.C.B. on Mar 6, 2009 9:14 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

BCB: That's why I think it's Sabourin getting recalled. The Oilers seem committed to playing Dubnyk until he collapses from exhaustion, and by bringing up Pitton they get to do that plus leave Stockton with a goaltender who can win them some games.

If they'd recalled Perugini, I would have assumed Dubnyk was hurt.

by Jonathan Willis on Mar 6, 2009 9:18 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Terrific observation Jonathan! I would be curious to see Sabourin play. I can't imagine Deslauriers is in the right frame of mind to confidently help the Oilers play-off attempt.

by Psyche on Mar 6, 2009 1:11 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Good call. I remember as we got closer to the deadline and everybody was adressing the Oilers needs. Goaltending came up and Sabourin was mentioned as making an appearance...

Might be a dumb question but due to the roster freeze there isnt any waiver action involved in the call up right?

by jdrevenge on Mar 9, 2009 12:09 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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