Dubnyk sent down; Pitton called up

by Scott Reynolds on Jan 1, 2010 9:35 PM MST

Devan Dubnyk has been sent back to Springfield so that he can try to stop pucks in an actual game. I understand that the man hasn't been impressive in his two NHL appearances to date but if the Oilers weren't planning on ever playing Dubnyk why exactly wouldn't they pick up Michael Leighton when he was on waivers? If not for the NHL club, at least for the AHL club. I mean, you know that you don't have much depth at the goaltending position when your backup goaltender for an NHL game has spent almost the entire season in the ECHL when no one on your AHL team is capable of an .880 save percentage. Bryan Pitton sucks so much that Ryan O'Marra is officially not the worst recall of the season. What is the downside of claiming Leighton? I just don't get it. At any rate, the Oilers pulled this trick once before when Dubnyk was sent down to get a start on December 12th. That start wasn't so good as Dubnyk allowed 7 goals on 26 shots in a 7-1 drubbing. Hopefully this start goes better and Dubnyk can help the Falcons snap their (Ho-Ly-Shit) seventeen game losing streak and career minor leaguers will stop refusing to play for the Falcons.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yeah, Scott, you and me both on the Leighton thing. I just couldn’t see the downside of claiming the guy. If Khabi comes back you just waive him and maybe some other team in need (as the Flyers were) will take him next. If he clears, well, that helps to resolve the Springfield mess.

I seem to recall a couple of rent-a-goalies in recent seasons that passed through at least three different NHL cities who were strick by injury at different points. In this case, the Oilers had dibs ahead of the Flyers so obviously they passed on the guy. For the life of me I can’t understand why.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 1, 2010 10:21 PM MST reply actions

The only possible reason is money I guess. But really, it’s re-entry waivers so having Leighton in the NHL for $300,000 instead of Dubnyk would have saved them some dough if Khabibulin is out long-term. Just weird. And even if it did cost a buck or two, the Falcons had lost nine in a row already when Leighton was claimed and they sent Dubnyk to the AHL to get some game action the same day. The issue was glaring and a solution fell into their laps yet… nothing. At some point you’d figure that they’d prioritize trying to fix the problems.

by Scott Reynolds on Jan 1, 2010 11:29 PM MST up reply actions

I’m not at all convinced that the Oilers front office gets roster management. I mean the meta-concept of contracts, waivers, call-ups, depth…

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Jan 2, 2010 9:18 AM MST up reply actions

Wild theory: were the Flyers lower in the standings that day than the Oilers? I know it sounds improbable, but they were in the midst of a massive slump, while the Oilers were, I believe, still riding high on that five-game winning streak when Leighton went up. I don’t have time to check now, but might that simply be it?

(I know, Tambo probably wouldn’t have done it anyway, but fuck it, I’ll try.)

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Jan 2, 2010 5:20 PM MST reply actions

Philadelphia had 41 points at the time, Edmonton 36

Philly had a .475 winning percentage, Edmonton .390

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Jan 2, 2010 5:40 PM MST up reply actions

Whoops, I was looking at today’s standings.

You were right Dooglas, Philly had dibs

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Jan 2, 2010 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

Wow, I didn’t honestly think I was right. Hot damn.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Jan 2, 2010 7:59 PM MST up reply actions

Specific complaint withdrawn! General complaint not withdrawn!

by Scott Reynolds on Jan 2, 2010 9:24 PM MST up reply actions

Now I can’t be as grumbly.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Jan 2, 2010 9:54 PM MST up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

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)

22 - 28 - 5

Streak: Won 1

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

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
Philadelphia Broad Street Hockey	Thu 02/23	7:30 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	OT - W 4 - 3
@ 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