Edmonton Oilers: Theo Peckham Returns to Lineup, but Where Does He Fit In?

By Carl Maloney
Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Theo Peckham returns tonight for the Edmonton Oilers, making his season debut and return from a four game AHL conditioning stint and will be in the lineup tonight against the Minnesota Wild.

Peckham currently gives the Oilers eight healthy, NHL defensemen on the roster.  The top four are pretty firmly set with none of Justin Schultz, Nick Schultz, Ladislav Smid or Jeff Petry in any danger of coming out of the lineup any time soon.

So far the trio of Mark Fistric, Ryan Whitney and Corey Potter have been rotating through the third pairing.  Add Peckham into the mix and the press box gets a little crowded.  He insertion in the lineup comes at the expense of Whitney who will once again be scratched and join Potter upstairs.

Peckham, who did not endear himself to the coaching staff following the lockout when he came to camp overweight and out of playing shape, has worked his way back.  He went down to Oklahoma City and to his credit worked hard and made a good impression in his four games.

There has been much made of Whitney’s future with the club and his possible trade value around the league, but what about Peckham?

He’s in the last year of his current deal, but is still a restricted free agent next year.  He brings toughness and physical play to the lineup, he’s abrasive and plays with an edge, which the Oilers could use.  However, the team also acquired Mark Fistric who is playing alongside Peckham who is a very similar player.  Is there a need or room for both in the lineup is one of the questions Ralph Krueger and the management need to ask themselves.

Especially looking at next season the picture becomes more interesting.  Whitney, Fistric and Smid are all UFA’s.  Whitney will likely been gone, if he isn’t dealt this season anyway, Smid will be re-signed, and Fistric is a maybe.

Which means the top four will very likely return and then there will be a battle for the final few spots with Peckham, Potter, Fistric (possibly) and incoming prospects like Oscar Klefbom, Martin Marincin or Taylor Fedun.

A lot will depend on whether Fistric is re-signed obviously and whether Peckham’s in your face play will be needed.  Also part of the equation is Klefbom, who is currently injured but traveling with the team to get some exposure around the Oiler dressing room.  He is expected to earn a spot on next season’s blue line.

Clearly it looks like Peckham’s fate will rest on his own shoulders and how he fares in the games in which he plays.  Peckham is not the greatest skater and is certainly not there for his play with the puck.  He is slow by NHL standards and his key will be showing that he can play a simple, effective, physical game and not get victimized by speed.  He will need to prove his value to the lineup and that he is not an expendable piece.

He will get his opportunity tonight against the Wild.

 

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