The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up! In a recent announcement, the Oilers revealed they've recalled defenseman Riley Stillman from their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.
Stillman, a 27-year-old left-shot defenseman, has been a journeyman in the NHL, playing for five different teams over his career. He's appeared in 163 NHL games, including a stint with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, where he played five games. But here's where it gets interesting: despite his NHL experience, he's been honing his skills in the AHL this season, notching two goals and five assists in 22 games. And this is the part most fans might not know: he's a former fourth-round pick (114th overall) by the Florida Panthers back in 2016, and he's been working his way up ever since.
Standing at 6'2" and weighing 207 lbs., Stillman brings size and experience to the Oilers' blue line. He's a native of Peterborough, Ontario, and made his NHL debut in the 2018-19 season. But will this recall be the turning point in his career? Only time will tell.
The Oilers' recent transactions also included recalling forward Max Jones from the Condors, a move that could add some much-needed depth to their lineup. However, they've also had to deal with injuries, placing forwards Connor Clattenburg and Jack Roslovic on the injured reserve, and moving defenseman Jake Walman to long-term injured reserve. Are these moves a sign of a team in crisis or a strategic reshuffle? The Oilers' fans are eager to find out.