#stortini

Zack Stortini vs Zach Sill February 7, 2016

Binghamton Senators vs Hershey Bears

With players returning from injury Oilers management had to make room. As I've discussed earlier the most probable choice would've been to send down Omark back to OKC. It was just the easy way out, with his contract and rookie-status. They could also have sent Reddox packing (again) but he would have to clear waivers (which haven't exactly been a problem earlier but just might this time).

To say our 4th line have been good would be a lie - except for Ryan Jones (who's spent more time on a 3rd line though). JFJ, MacIntyre, Fraser and Stortini have all played worse then I would've expected them to do. But Stortini seemed to have things going for him last year so in the back of my head there was someone saying he might bounce back. He won't, atleast not in an Oiler-jersey. Stortini is put on waivers and is heading to OKC Barons, should he not get picked up.

For the sake of the peps down in OKC I'm hoping he won't get picked up. But I'm guessing he will (rumors speak already about Leafs). He comes at a low price, sure - he doesn't win all fights (far from it).. But he can bash opponents, he fights for his teammates and he goes to the net. And compared to MacIntyre he can even skate. So why keep JFJ and MacIntyre one might ask.. Sadly, I have no idea whatsoever. JFJ have fought hard all season to prove his doubters right, MacIntyre can't do much except fight.. and fight, he hardly does (nobody wants to fight him). Shortly put, this was not the correct call. Either one of JFJ or MacIntyre should've gone ahead of Stortini.

The positives are obvious though. Reddox and Omark survives another day. I'd even say Reddox is safe for now, probably for the remainder of the season which I'm really happy about, his shot at becoming a real NHLer. The other positive is that should Stortini clear, he will help the Barons reach the playoffs - and that is indeed, a very good thing. I can still see Omark sent down though, with the return of Brule, time will tell. Oilers management continues to amaze us so who knows..