EDMONTON, AB - Oilers Entertainment Group Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chair Bob Nicholson was asked about the Oilers prospect development following the dismissal of Peter Chiarelli as general manager and president of hockey operations.
"We want our younger players to develop more in the American Hockey League," Nicholson said at Wednesday's press conference. "I think that we bring them up a little bit too early in hopes that they're going to be ready when they're really, really close. I think we got to leave them down there until they're over-ripe."
The Oilers announced that prospect Kailer Yamamoto was assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, along with Ryan Spooner. Nicholson alluded to Yamamoto's re-assignment.
"He's on the verge but he has to play a lot of minutes," he said. "We really believe in this player and we have to do that with more of our assets going forward."
BLOG: Nicholson comments on Oilers prospect development
"We want our younger players to develop more in the American Hockey League," said Oilers Entertainment Group CEO and Vice Chair Bob Nicholson
