The Edmonton Oilers are sending Max Jones back to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. There is speculation that this move is being made to create roster space for the returning Kasperi Kapanen.
Jones made the most of his recent opportunity and delivered his best performance as an oiler. However, Kapanen is the better forward and back on the ice in practice, so it’s a situation where one player had to go out for the other to return. Kapanen is faster, more skilled and just as physical, making him the more complete option when healthy.
Jones was a solid fourth-line player, but a fixture on a robust NHL roster. Kapanen has shown he can contribute on the fourth line and possibly even in a third-line role, where the Oilers clearly need help. Like most depth players, Kapanen has consistency issues, but he is quick enough to play with top strikers and powerful enough to make life more challenging for any opponent.
Cap considerations played a role in this move, as Kapanen ($1.3 million) or Jones ($1.0 million) are quite close. That is, unless there are other moves that involve juggling more salary and contracts throughout the lineup.
In Bakersfield, prospects Quinn Hutson and Ike Howard continue to push for NHL looks, and some fans are wondering — or crossing their fingers — that Jones going down means one of those two is on the way.
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