In defense of Edmonton Oilers Ahl Head Coach Colin Chaulk

Edmonton Oilers’ fans are not happy with many things these days and for a good reason. The NHL team came out of a miserable February with a little jump in March, but the injuries and the dissolved defensive game led to the loss of view of the crown of the Pacific division in 2025.

In addition to the NHL team, fans are also vowels at the development work in the HL. Bakersfield Condors are making miracles and remain in the pursuit of the playoffs despite impoverished formation, but this year there are not many blue-chip perspectives in minors.

The pressure on the leader of Condors Colin Chaulk coach is enormous despite the fact that he is maintaining an depleted list in pursuit of the playoffs.

The general manager of Oilers Stan Bowman will want to put his stamp on the organization’s development system this summer. This could mean a change of coaching at the AHL level.

The negative aspects for Chaulk Online are accumulating as the snow in the Edmonton courtyard of all today.

Here is a look at Chaulk’s performance in his main role: develop young talents for the NHL team.

The choices of the first round

The priority for an AHL staff is developing the best prospects. These are the choices in the first round and the signatures of highly propagated free agents who still qualify as Rookie Ahl. During the Chaulk period as head of the coach, starting from the last 34 games of the 2021-22 season, here are the results of the high-end perspectives that played a significant amount for him in the HL:

Chaulk has delivered Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway in NHL-Redinass, and the test is playing for St. Louis Blues this season.

It may be tempting to disappear Chaulk’s contributions to the development of these players. It would be a mistake. He brought both men to a good pace and helped them overcome the problems that afflicted their first professional games.

In the case of Broberg, he often cling to the disc too long, giving opponents the opportunity to hammer it (and cause injuries). He had enough repetitions to find his way. Chaulk also led Broberg’s offensive game at the point where the defender became a fundamental part of the club’s power game. In the end, he feeds heavy minutes in all situations.

Holloway arrived like an extraordinary athlete who could skate like the wind, brought a physical style and an excellent awareness. What he needed was the development time offensively. Chaulk gave him enormous minutes on the game of power (12 of his 22 points of beginner arrived with the advantage of man). He also gave him a push with quality linemates (Brad Malone, Cooper Marody, Brendan Perlini) who helped a mentor role.

The only choice of the first round that has not succeeded (Xavier Bourgault) was a different type of forward compared to Holloway. Given a large anticipation and extraordinary ability of Passino, Bourgault received a strong dose of special time from Chaulk. Bourgault scored 35 percent of his beginner points on the game of power, compared to 55 percent of Holloway, but he was given many opportunities.

The problems for Bourgault in Pro Hockey were duplicate. First of all, he is not a physically strong player, which means he does not win many battles. The main problem for him with the Condor surrounded his ability to have an impact on uniform strength. Here is a comparison between Bourgault and Holloway in the offensive progression in those minutes.

All the numbers of strength, through AHL.com

This is the story of two completely different career trajectories.

Holloway has improved in an area of ​​concern (equal score) in every season. He graduated from the NHL and is now scoring at a few levels (perhaps only the former director of the scouting of Oilers Tyler Wright) thought possible. In 74 games, Holloway has 49 even points.

Bourgault has not progressed beyond his first season also to force. He is playing this season (year 3 above) with the senators of Belville and has similar challenges in a new organization.

Chaulk contributed to developing two impressive NHL talents and tried to unlock the offense of Bourgault without success. This should be considered a vote of passage, especially considering that the problems persist in the system of another team.

Out of the first round

This is the heart of the work of an AHL coach with an NHL organization: helping to develop useful NHL players from prospects not considered elite.

Mike Kesselring is an absolute home race for drafts of draft and development in the organization. Chaulk earns a little credit for his success, as he has able to be successful. As always, most of the credit goes to the player.

The rest of the group can emerge as successful players in the NHL.

The typical success from AHL-A-NHL involves two-way quality players who learn a safer style. Names such as Fernando Pisani and Shawn Hoccoff 20 years ago demonstrate the aspect of the ideal development path.

From the group currently in Ahl (and listed here), Olivier Rodrigue, Phil Kemp and Noah Philp are all playing at the levels that have earned calls. Now there are several development players in Bakersfield (in particular Matvey Petrov, who is a real talent but has yet to break out) that could receive calls in the next 12 months.

Chaulk’s curriculum is solid in this area. The fact that Edmonton does not have Broberg, Holloway or Kesselring in the roster should not be removed from the contributions made to those careers.

Matt Savoie

The key player in the Edmonton system is currently Matt Savoie. Chaulk is using it in all areas and the young man is flourishing.

The Oilers should be able to use Savoie next autumn in the NHL. It is beyond the NHL-Ready and has already received the game time with the NHL team this season.

The first professional season of Savoie shines brilliantly among the players that Chaulk brought through the AHL. This reflects the player himself, but also the opportunities offered. In a season with so many missing pieces due to accidents and calls, the progression of Savoie is impressive.

In conclusion

The Ahl affiliate of the Oilers in Bakersfield is not up to the expectations this season. Several operations at the minor League level intended to improve the club left the defensive group loose, also challenged offensively.

Judging the coaching capacity of Chaulk based on the recent results of the victories would be wildly unfair.

It is always better to evaluate an AHL technical staff by counting the number of players that emerge from the outside of the first round. Kesselring is the strongest topic in favor of Chaulk and should far overcome the ranking points.

If the organization decides to judge the team based on the results, it would be good to take a long look at the Friday evening match against the Calgary Wranglers.

During the distribution of 10 men with contracts only AHL, including goalkeeper Brett Brochu, who had been remembered by the Echl, the Condors hammered the opponent 8-2. Among the best ice players? Noah Philp, James Hamblin, Connor Carrick and Cam Dineen. The young Savoy and Petrov also intervened, together with several Ahl-Echl players.

There is no top-10 choice failed in the group of young people that Chaulk has developed. There is a highly successful NHL defender, chosen in the sixth round by a Hampshire High School (Kesselring), which was once a lottery ticket.

Chaulk has many detractors. He gained more support than he is given. It doesn’t matter what happens this summer.

(Photo of Noah Philp: Terrence Lee / Imagn Images)