Edmonton Oilers: 3 Players You Need to Know from the Oklahoma City Barons

Everyone knows about Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but the Barons feature some lesser known players who could make an impact on the Edmonton Oilers in the future.
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Thanks to the NHL lockout, the Oklahoma City Barons are one of the more fortunate AHL franchises with 23 players being sent down from the Edmonton Oilers roster.

With such names as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle the team has started to pick up steam, compiling wins in a very respectable fashion.

However, there are a few players on the Barons who may not have the name recognition yet, but will prove to be extremely valuable not only to the Barons this season, but to the Oilers in future years.

Here are the 3 players you need to know from the Oklahoma City Barons not named:  Martin Marincin, Taylor Fedun and Magnus Paajarvi.

Martin Marincin

If Marincin can continue to improve with the Barons he could very well make the Oilers next season.
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The 6’5”, 187 pound Slovakian defenseman Martin Marincin has had quite a solid season for the Oklahoma City Barons registering 11 points with an impressive plus/minus rating of plus-12.

After splitting time between Prince George and Regina last season, Marincin was assigned to the Barons for the end of the season but spent the playoffs in the press box.

While the offensive production has always been there for Marincin at the junior level, it is encouraging for the Oilers organization to see Marincin continue the output at the next level.

It’s unlikely that he would have challenged for a roster spot with the Oilers this year, as his defensive play has been suspect at times, but the time spent in Oklahoma will serve the young defenseman well.

With his size and impressive skill-set, Marincin will be a big part of any success the Barons have this year and should challenge for a roster spot next NHL season.

Taylor Fedun

After a long road to recovery, Fedun is hoping he can regain the form that saw him almost make the Oilers last season.

Taylor Fedun was the surprise of the Edmonton Oilers training camp last year and looked set to make the roster before a horrific on-ice accident left the Edmonton native with a complex fracture of his right femur.

The fact that Fedun is back playing hockey is surprising enough, but his performance thus far has been pleasantly reassuring.

With seven points and an even plus/minus rating, the 6’0” defenseman has progressively gotten stronger as the AHL season has rolled along.

Fedun may not be the flashiest name on the roster, but his inspiring story shows his character and drive, and should prove inspirational for his teammates.

Magnus Paajarvi

The Oilers don't need Paajarvi to be a major offensive threat, if he can develop other aspects of his game he could have a major impact on the Barons and for the Oilers in the future.

“Maggy” was touted as one of the core pieces of the Edmonton Oilers rebuilding process, but after a couple of disappointing seasons with the Oilers and a dismal stint with the Barons last season opinions are wavering.

While some may have been ready to write Magnus Paajarvi off as nothing more than a second-tier prospect, it appears that he is beginning to find his groove with the Barons.

Paajarvi, 21, has registered a respectable 13 points this season. While he may only have two goals to his name, he has started to turn things around since being united with fellow countryman Anton Lander and the Finn, Teemu Hartikainen.

The ‘Nordic Line’ has contributed outstanding two-way play, and while their offensive production may be considered modest at best, Paajarvi and company have done an excellent job doing the other things necessary to win hockey games.

Perhaps Paajarvi won’t be the offensive standout some may have hoped, but his speed and hockey sense, as well as his proficiency in the defensive end, will make Paajarvi a valuable piece for the Barons and for the Oilers.