Tyler Pitlick had a solid but unspectacular season with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL). He's an important prospect in several ways: first, he was a high pick, first selection in round two of the 2010 entry draft. Second: he's skilled with size and likes to play a physical style. Could Pitlick be that elusive winger with truculence and enough ability to play with the skilled men? What position will he play? When can we expect him to arrive in the NHL?
Those top 40 selections need to work out in order for an NHL team to build the kind of quality and quantity required to compete for a playoff position and a deep playoff run. Pitlick could have played in Medicine Hat, Oklahoma City or Edmonton (NHL) this past season but the organization made the right call and sent the young forward to the junior loop. 6.02, 194 when he was drafted out of Minnesota State University at Mankato, he'd been playing since he was three years old (it's a family tradition). Redline report--the scouting world's toughest marker, liked him plenty: “Accelerates briskly out of cross-overs and blows by defenders. Has an NHL caliber shot right now. Flashed the ability to power through defenders to get to net. High energy level every shift. Can gain separation in corners with sharp twists and can turn on a dime. Patient playmaker. Long-limbed with farmboy like strength. Aggressive and finishes checks.”
Pitlick entered the WHL and the Tigers coaching staff instantly placed him on RW. The Oilers have remained steadfast in their public comments that Pitlick will be a centerman but last year at least he played the wing.
- Tyler Pitlick first half: 33gp, 15-21-36 (1.09)
- Tyler Pitlick since: 23gp, 12-14-26 (1.13)
- Tyler Pitlick total: 56gp, 27-35-62 (1.10)
In terms of where he ranks in Desjardins NHLE compared to other possible OKC Barons this winter, here's the list:
- Anton Lander (SEL) 14-20-34
- Tanner House (NCAA) 10-24-34
- Curtis Hamilton (WHL) 10-23-33
- Mark Arcobello (AHL) 15-16-31
- Lennart Petrell (SML) 10-18-28
- Ryan Keller (AHL) 17-10-27
- Tyler Pitlick (WHL) 12-15-27
- Josh Green (AHL) 8-17-25
- Teemu Hartikainen (AHL) 10-13-23
- Hunter Tremblay (CIS) no equivalency)
- Toni Rajala (SML) 9-13-22
- Antti Tyrvainen (SML) 12-8-20
- Ryan O'Marra (AHL) 1-14-15
- Milan Kytnar (AHL) 6-8-14
- Phil Cornet (AHL) 4-10-14
- Chris VandeVelde (AHL) 7-2-9
- Cameron Abney (WHL) 3-5-8
Based on that list, I'd say Pitlick has a solid chance to play in the AHL next season but isn't likely to get the big minutes at center. Center should be the domain of men like Mark Arcobello, Chris VandeVelde, Ryan O'Marra, Anton Lander, Tanner House and Milan Kytnar.
Established AHL right-winger Ryan Keller is the strongest option at the position but it would seem there's a real chance for Pitlick starboard side.
Pitlick's offense last season ranked him 3rd among WHL rookies and his EV stats (56gp, 22-19-41) suggest he might be a player. His 22 EV goals rank him 2nd among Tigers during the regular season despite missing several games and playing only sporadically on the big scoring line.
I think it's reasonable to suggest that we won't see him during the regular season with the Oilers. Pitlick has a somewhat unique skill set (big, skilled, and physical) for RW's on the pro roster but he has some things to prove in the minors.
slight mixup, you said pats coaching staff, other than that solid article :)
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't Pitlick improving?
ReplyDeleteThis team has too many good prospects, to worry too much about these types.
Everyone wants them to do great when it's draft day, lol.
Pitlick strikes me as the type of player you throw into a magic beans for real player deal when you're on the cusp.
ReplyDeleteHe has pedigree (31st OV), he's a bit famous, and he's forever away from being a useful player... nevermind a difference maker.
Pitlick, Teubert and a 2nd (or a 1st in a crappy draft; the Oiler's are brilliant at loading up on picks in drafts perceived as weak... you can always tell in a hurry what GM's think of a draft based on how 1sts are being thrown around at the deadline; in '08 nobody was moving them, in '07 they were thrown around like candy) for a real defenseman.
Obviously not enough to get a Suter type; but maybe someone like Kronwall shakes loose for whatever reason...
At some point, the Oilers have to turn a pile of 8's and 7's into a facecard. There's only so many roster spots that can be dedicated to kids, and only so many development minutes available.
How on earth is he going to earn an appearance?
ReplyDeleteFirst, he's blocked by the large quantity and quality of wingers. It's probably the only position where the Edmonton Oilers have playoff calibre players now, between the veterans and the young players who are good enough to take on responsibility.
Second, he isn't anywhere near "first call-up status", which defaults to Teemu Hartikainen.
Third, he slots in behind Hamilton as far as the new rounds of professionals. What makes more sense, putting Hartikainen or Hamilton on RW if injuries hit, or a player fresh off his WHL rookie year where he just did... decent?
I'm not even sure he should be in the AHL yet. Let him figure out how to use his skill set at a lower level first.
I have high hopes for Pitlick. 2-3 years from now. If he gets a good taste of pro hockey in the AHL this year and a cup of coffee in the NHL next year, then he is right on track
ReplyDeletePaper Designer: I don't think it's clearly established that Pitlick is miles behind Hamilton. Prospects don't develop in a straight line and we could be high on Pitlick and low on Hamilton a year from now.
ReplyDeleteBased on what the organization has said about him, the number of points he posted at even strength and his physical style my guess is that Pitlick is among the Oilers most prized prospects at this time.
2009-10 with Minnesota State in WCHA...38gp-11-8-19-27 to his 10-11 season in WHL, which includes injury, seems like a fairly nice progression (my less than amateur assessment ;) ). The WHL is a tougher league physically to play in I am guessing.
ReplyDeleteFor a guy who's ceiling seems to be top 6 fill in/good third liner it's wrong to worry about him "not being a "first call-up option" in his first year pro. If he is a first or second call-up option half way thru 2012-13 to me he'd still be tracking well even though that's nearly 18 months from now.
ReplyDeleteIt's true Hamilton is ahead of him right now but he is LW if i'm not mistaken...last thing this team should be worried about is duplicated skill sets among propects slotted for a bottom six role.
I think the kid is on track. His ES numbers last year are very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was crazy that folks were giving up on Gagner already, hard to believe that some are already saying Pitlick is a bust. He's, um, 19.
I'd say he's tracking ahead of everyone you named there at C, LT, with the possible exception of Lander. With the dearth of RWs in the org, he's probably ahead of most there too. Versatility is a real biatch. Nice player.
ReplyDeleteLet's see where MH plays him this year.
Next year an older prospect will be making way for this young gun on the OKC roster.
He is young, but at 19 he needs to be showing well, so this is an important year for him. He doesn't have to make the bigs for the next few years, but he does have to show solid progress every year or he'll fall fast with the way they are loading up in the lower leagues.
ReplyDeleteAs for players ahead of him, that means little. It's up to him to leap frog them, which is what really good players do. He has to show he's hungry, that he wants it more than the others, because that is what it takes.
I don't know if he'll see centre again, but a skilled tough RW would fit the bill - our right side is pretty small.
"Sniff sniff", I feel a certain pride in having reared young PDO;)
ReplyDeleteI really like the EV numbers of Pitlick and the way he supposedly plays but I would like it even more if he was being played exclusively at pivot and then we decided at the minor pro level that he was better off as a winger
I've got high hopes for Pitlick, and I'm pretty sure the big club does too. Remember when, during the development camp, they pulled him and RNH out of the group for a private face-off clinic? Remember when during Oil change Tambo asked Stu if Pitlick was one of the 6-8 players that you try to trade up to take in the early first round? Pitlick is part of the plan.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'd love to see him dominate at centre in Medicine Hat this season, and move to OKC with and NHL cup of coffee next year.
In 3 or 4 years we're going to see a bottom six that includes Lander, Pitlick, Hartikainen, Hamilton is my guess.