Milan Kytnar Loaned To SM-liiga Club HPK Hämeenlinna
by Eetu Huisman on Jan 30, 2012 6:15 PM MST
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PrintThe Oilers have loaned Milan Kytnar to HPK Hämeenlinna of the Finnish SM-liiga. His new club claims he's a "future NHLer", but this transfer spells the end to his career as an OIler.
HPK announced the acquisition of Kytnar late Monday night Finnish time. Kytnar had spent time with both the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL and the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL this year, and appeared in what now seems like his only NHL game just a couple of weeks earlier.
According to the Hockey Coordinator of HPK, Janne Laukkanen, Kytnar is a "future NHL player" in some mysterious "scouts'" papers, but I don't think he even believes that himself. Kytnar's entry level NHL contract was expiring and a transfer to Europe probably means he wasn't going to get another one.
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what’s with the disclaimer? Doesn’t seem to fit here at CNB
by One_Roy_Save_On_The_Calendar on Jan 30, 2012 11:51 PM MST reply actions
The front-paged Fanposts get the disclaimer, just in case they’re edited post-publish. And in case you write a fanpost :)
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Curious why they would transfer in the middle of the season, instead of letting him finish his contract in North America.
Insert Witty Comment Here
So last year he has a decent showing as a first year pro in OKC and this year the Oilers decide to flush him? This move alone wouldn’t be egregious, but Ryan O’marra has only recently shown to be any sort of player and the Oilers gave him a chance, time and time again.
I think Tambellini hates depth, I don’t understand this move unless Kytnar asked for this transfer himself.
The Edmonton Oilers, keeping opposition fans happy for the last 6 years
I don’t get it either. Kytnar didn’t look out of place in his one game with the Oilers. He’s not flashy but he gets the job done and he is younger than Vandevelde and O’Marra, and is more likely to get better.
On the other hand, Stockton does not sound like a nice place, so perhaps he did ask for the transfer. Still, I was hoping the Oilers would flush O’Marra and Arcobello and give Kyntar one more year to show what he could do. Very disappointing.
The biggest surprise for me in this situation is that the organization chose to continue developing VandeVelde instead of Kytnar. They had similar results last year as AHL rookies (I actually had Kytnar a little bit ahead), but Kytnar is about two years younger. That said, neither guy is all that likely to be a significant help on an NHL roster at any time, so it’s not exactly a big mistake (if it’s a mistake at all).
The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.
by Scott Reynolds on Jan 31, 2012 8:08 AM MST up reply actions
As we have learned this season, quality 4th liners (relatively speaking of course) that can play smart minutes are worth a lot when your head coach insists on playing the 4th line in the 3rd period of close games. To me, Kytnar has always been a strong candidate for that kind of role and his one game in Edmonton (small sample that it was) met my expectation.
When our 4th line is bleeding chances over the next three years this move will come back to haunt the team.
Kytnar had threatened to go back to Europe or another destination if he was forced to play in Stockton. Surprised it took this long for him to land elsewhere.
Tending The Farm in OKC!
by Neal Livingston on Jan 31, 2012 8:56 AM MST reply actions
Ok that makes sense. It seems the Oilers need a new ECHL affiliate, Stockton sounds like an awful place.
The Edmonton Oilers, keeping opposition fans happy for the last 6 years
Forbes called it the most miserable city in the United States. Even still, it’s kind of funny hearing people that cheer for a team based in Edmonton rag on a city in California.
The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.
by Scott Reynolds on Jan 31, 2012 4:00 PM MST up reply actions
Even still, it’s kind of funny hearing people that cheer for a team based in Edmonton rag on a city in California.
Well, it’s unusual anyway… :) That said, Edmonton is vastly under-rated, and going by that Forbes article, Stockton is not in good shape at all right now, although perhaps improving slightly in some ways.
Stockton, like every other Central Valley city in California is struggling with high employment; which brings loss of city revenue, foreclosures and an increase in crime. BUT ask most Stockton Thunder players and they will tell you they love playing here. We average close to 6000 per game, and the players are treated quite well by the Thunder organization, by the fans and the booster club, Most understand that this is the ECHL – a stepping stone to better play and pay. Having met Milan, I was sorry to hear he had “threatened” to go back to Europe. Like another European Oiler who played here in the past, Edmonton met his wishes and sent him packing. I believe this is more about a demotion from the AHL, rather than playing in an “awful place”. Ego-based decisions can be fateful. PS – as for the Forbes rating, no one from that mag has ever set foot in our fine city, so don’t always believe everything you read in print!
He played jr hockey in the WHL, so I don’t believe he would be homesick. I met him last week after his call up to the NHL. He said it was an amazing experience, so this whole thing has me puzzled. I still think it may have been his disappointment in not being able to stay up with OKC. He has been up and back quite a bit. But, I am sure there is more to this story than meets the eye.
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