Former Oiler fan favourite could return to replace veteran Mattias Janmark
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
With his inspired play with the Bakersfield Condors over the last two years, James Hamblin has caught the attention of the parent-club Oilers.
Fan favourite's career resurrected in AHL
The last time James Hamblin played a regular season game in Edmonton was in 2023-24, when he dressed for 31 games.
Since then, however, he's been with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors preparing for a possible call-up, producing at a level where he can't be ignored should the opportunity arise.
Now he’s getting some recognition for a potential new call up to the NHL, and taking the position of veteran Mattias Janmark.
In 92 games with the Condors over the last two seasons, Hamblin has posted 36G and 73 points. He's been consistent and is taking advantage of hi time there.
Mattias Janmark, on the other hand, has been largely inconsistent with the Oilers.
"Hey, I get the good player in the playoffs thing; but are you gonna be able to just flip a switch," Jason Gregor said in his podcast recently. "Can't score in the regular season, but I can score in the playoffs two years in a row? That would be pretty remarkable if he did.
But when you look at Mattias Janmark, I'm wondering how much offense potentially he has left."
But when you look at Mattias Janmark, I'm wondering how much offense potentially he has left."
I get that he's been able to find another level in the playoffs, but to count on that as a strategy is imprudent and can get a team into trouble when there is little room for error.
Over 43 games this year, Janmark had 1G only and 8 points and is a minus-8 on goal differential.
When Janmark signed with Edmonton in June of 2023, he recorded 10G and 25 points over 66 games, showing a level of promise that could help the team's bottom-six.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
There are several Condors players that are ready to make the jump to the NHL, who are producing and eager to contribute. You can now add James Hamblin to that list.
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