​Oilers recall player after star defenseman misses practice!

The Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenceman Griffin Reinhart ahead of their nest playoff game in San Jose.

Reinhart is a 23-year-old blueline prospect from North Vancouver, BC. At 6’4, 212 lbs the lefty brings a solid mix of defensive awareness, playmaking, and checking ability wrapped up in a sizeable package. He played his rookie season with Edmonton in the 2015-16 season, were he skating in 29 games recording a single assist, 20 penalty minutes and a +/- of minus-6.

He spent the entirety of this season in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, were he worked on improving his game. With 7 goals, 14 assists, and a +/- of plus-8 across 54 games this season, Reinhart has continued to improve throughout the season.

The only worrisome thing about Reinhart’s callup is the possible implications.

Hopefully, he’s being brought to San Jose as an emergency player in a depth position. Bakersfield was eliminated from the AHL playoffs, so there’s no harm in bringing him along as the Oilers battle through the playoffs.

However, it could also mean that Oscar Klefbom is injured, and won’t play in Edmonton’s first game in San Jose. Klefbom left Friday’s game after blocking a shot, and did not practice with the team today.

Coach Todd McLellan says he is still confident that Klefbom will be ready to play their next game however.

With the series tied 1-1, the Oilers will take on the Sharks in San Jose on Good Sunday, April 16^th.