Smid Injured; Chorney Up
Ladislav Smid was injured last night in the third period and wasn't at practice this morning. The injury came from what Pat Quinn called a "headshot" from Mason Raymond of the Canucks. It's quite possible that the injury is a concussion and if so, it's at least the second of his career.
With Steve Staios still out with "Concussion Flu" the Oilers decided to make the call to Springfield and bring up Taylor Chorney. Derek has compared Chorney to Cody Wild several times in the past (the latest comparison was January 9th) and has consistently found that Wild is, statistically speaking, even or better. But Wild isn't Chorney's main competition on the farm anyway. Theo Peckham and Dean Arsene have also been used at times earlier this year and are likely both ahead of Wild on the depth chart. Given the injuries to Staios and Smid, I would've expected one of the more "physical" defenders to get the call this time, especially given the advantage those two have in terms of +/- at the AHL level (Peckham is -1 in 24 GP, Arsene -5 in 35 GP and Chorney -15 in 21 GP).
Instead, the Oilers called on Taylor Chorney who continues to impress by eye if not by the numbers. This has to seen as a huge vote of confidence for Chorney and a pretty discouraging blow for Theo Peckham who seems to have dropped a spot on the defensive depth chart this season with Jeff Petry waiting in the wings.
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