Liam Reddox 10-11: Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

Liam Reddox has been fighting for his NHL career since the day the Oilers signed him. He was selected 112th in the 2004 Entry draft but now ranks in the top 60 in GP from that draft season. He was sent out this past fall and recalled in time to help out on the PK, but one rarely sees it mentioned anywhere.

Liam Reddox looks like kid who delivers your pizza, but he's a smart hockey player with speed and a lot of try. It won't land him a one-way contract, but it should ensure an extended career on the fringes of NHL rosters.

Liam Reddox 10-11

• 5x5 points per 60: 1.09 (10th among regular forwards)
• 5x4 points per 60: nil
• Qual Comp: 8th toughest faced among regular forwards
• Qual Team: 11th best available teammates among regular forwards
• Corsi Rel: -6.5 (4th worst among regular forwards)
• Zone Start: 53.8% (2nd easiest among regular forwards)
• Zone Finish: 52.7% (2nd best among regular forwards)
• Shots on goal/percentage: 85/1.18% (worst among F's but DNQ)
• Boxcars: 44gp, 1-9-10 
• Plus Minus: -8 on a team that was -52

1. What do these numbers tell us? Liam Reddox is well outside the "useful offensive forwards" list on the Edmonton Oilers. However, that doesn't mean he can't help the team as a role player. Reddox led the team in SH TOI per game among forwards after his recall and the PK did improve as the season wore on. Also, although he isn't a main offensive contributor Reddox did have a very good AHL season going before his recall.
2. How could these numbers be better? Offensively he's an end of the roster type guy. Your #8 batter, a utility player; like if Casey Candaele hit down in the order on those wonderful Expos teams. I think Reddox could be a useful roster player.
3. Really? The Oilers will replace him this summer. That may well be, but there are bigger problems than Liam Reddox. If we make a list of the players who played in that 12-14F rotation this season Reddox has more talent than most of them.
4. How many Oilers would you flush before Reddox? Steve MacIntyre, Zack Stortini, Ryan O'Marra, JF Jacques, Colin Fraser, Gilbert Brule. That's 6.
5. How many Oilers would you keep before him? Hall, Eberle, MP, Hemsky, Horcoff, Gagner, Cogliano, Omark. That's 8, nine if Ryan Jones signs. If you add Hartikainen and VandeVelde that's 11 that are ahead of him. He still earns a roster spot, along with a knuckledragger.
6. Seriously? You'd keep him. Unless the Oilers add some useful PK men and checkers then Reddox should have a roster spot. Liam Reddox has talent.
7. What's his contract? Reddox is RFA this summer coming off a $550,000 deal. That's 275k less than Coliin Fraser.
8. He's headed for Europe. Book it. Hey, the Oilers may cut him loose by not qualifying him. But it doesn't make it the right decision. Liam Reddox isn't going to score 20 goals, and he isn't going to be the team's enforcer. However, the things he can do are important, especially on a team that is in dire need of penalty-killers and checkers. Jacques can hammer, Reddox can play the game.
9. Why do you like him so much? Renney kept him here once Reddox was recalled. Why? Here's a quote from OKC coach Todd Nelson: “He’s a big part of our team. He does everything out there. He kills penalties, he’s on power plays, he creates a lot of scoring opportunities with his speed. He’s just a solid, all-around player. I don’t know if he’s the fastest (skater in the AHL) but he’s right up there. He’s got that ability, he’s got that extra gear where he can pull away from guys. There are a lot of fast guys in the NHL and there are a lot of fast guys in this league, but he’s in the upper echelon of quickness. He can skate, and that’s his biggest asset. He uses that to his advantage, and people can’t keep up with him."
10. When will the Oilers be good enough to replace him? Another 100 games should do it. My guess is that by that time another NHL team will pick him up. Same thing happened to Toby Petersen, who by the way boasted a 0.49 5x5/60 this season.