Edmonton Oilers recall defenceman Markus Niemelainen

The Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenceman Markus Niemelainen, the club announced Friday night.

The big, bruising rearguard started the year with the Oilers, but was loaned to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors in late November.

To start the year in Edmonton, he appeared in 15 games scoring no points. With him on the ice at 5×5, the Oilers controlled 47.57 percent of the shot attempt share, 55.26 percent of the goals scored and 46.05 percent of the expected goal share.

In his return to the Condors, Niemelainen drew in for 10 games registering two assists.

As noted by The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman, with Warren Foegele set to return to the Oilers lineup Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks, the Oilers will carry a full 23-man roster for the first time this season. The Oilers, too, will carry eight defencemen on their roster now with the club waiving Brad Malone Friday afternoon.

There’s no word yet on how the Oilers roster will shake out in the matinee game against the Ducks. Edmonton will come into the game as heavy favourites without a doubt. This is an Anaheim team that looks mighty different from a few years ago and could very well be the worst team in the NHL this season.