EDMONTON – Welcome to the big leagues.
On Monday night, the Edmonton Oilers recalled a defender from the Bakersfield Condors. Their social team tweeted that the Oilers had recalled Cam Dineen on an emergency basis.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.
This raises a few eyebrows but is easily explainable. Here are the details on emergency recalls and why the Oilers used one on Monday.
What Is An Emergency Recall?
Emergency recalls can be used when a team drops below 12 forwards, six defenders, or two goalies due to sickness or injury. So, if an illness makes its way through a team and suddenly leaves them with five defenders available to play, and they don’t have enough cap space for a league-minimum salary, they can make an emergency recall.
Related Oilers Stories
Oilers' Evander Kane: 3 Potential Trade Destinations
EDMONTON -- The best day of the year is almost here.
3 Edmonton Oilers Who Might Get Traded
Oilers Trade Targets: Can Alex Tuch Unlock The Top Six?
Oilers Trade Targets: Could Karel Vejmelka Be The Answer In Net?
Oilers Deadline Plans Complicated By New Details
Edmonton Oilers 2025 Trade Deadline Tracker
EDMONTON – It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Why Did The Oilers Use An Emergency Recall?
The Oilers currently have the following defenders in the NHL: Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard, Troy Stecher, John Klingberg, Mattias Ekholm, Ty Emberson, and Brett Kulak.
With seven defenders on their roster, two of them are question marks for Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Ekholm was given a day off of practice to help recover from the 4 Nations Face-off, and Kris Knoblauch mentioned that Kulak was sick.
Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) on X
The #Oilers have recalled defenceman Cam Dineen from the @Condors on an emergency basis.
Why Did They Call Up Cam Dineen?
Oddly enough, the Oilers have more right-handed defenders than left-handed ones. Their righties include Bouchard, Klingberg, Stecher, and Emberson.
In the last Oilers game, they played two lefties together (Nurse with Kulak) and two righties together (Stecher with Emberson) while Klingberg was scratched.
If Kulak were the only question mark for Tuesday’s game, there would be no need for a recall, as Klingberg could slide back into the lineup. This emergency recall suggests that another player is potentially sick and that they became ill after practice.
It could also mean that a player was injured during practice and discovered their injury after practice, prompting management to make an emergency recall. Either way, it suggests that one of Stecher, Emberson, Klingberg, or Bouchard are at risk to not play against the Ducks.
Now, Oil Country will need to wait until Morning Skate to see the big picture.
Add us to your Google News favorites, and never miss a story.