The Edmonton Oilers have made a couple of significant moves in an effort to turn their season around, as they have placed forward Derek Ryan on waivers and loaned defenceman Josh Brown to the American Hockey League (AHL).
Derek Ryan, who was signed by the Oilers as a free agent in the offseason, has struggled to find his place in the team's lineup, scoring just a handful of points in limited playing time. Despite his strong work ethic and defensive prowess, Ryan has been unable to crack the top six forward group and has found himself relegated to the fourth line or even the press box on several occasions.
By placing Ryan on waivers, the Oilers are giving other teams in the league the opportunity to claim the veteran forward and add some depth to their own lineups. If Ryan is claimed, the Oilers will be free from the remainder of his contract, which could provide some much-needed cap relief. However, if he clears waivers, the team may choose to loan him to their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, where he can continue to play and potentially work his way back into the NHL.
In a separate move, the Oilers have loaned defenceman Josh Brown to the AHL. Brown, who was acquired by the Oilers in a trade with the Ottawa Senators, has also struggled to establish himself as a regular in the team's lineup. The 28-year-old blueliner has played in just a handful of games for the Oilers, and has been a healthy scratch on several occasions. By sending Brown to the AHL, the Oilers are giving him the opportunity to play more regularly and work on his game in a lower-pressure environment.
These moves are likely just the beginning of what promises to be a busy few weeks for the Oilers, as they look to shake up their roster and make a push for the playoffs. With several key players set to become unrestricted free agents in the offseason, the team may choose to trade some of their veteran assets in an effort to replenish their prospect pool and build for the future. As the trade deadline approaches, fans of the Oilers will be watching with bated breath to see what other moves the team makes in an effort to turn their season around.