The Oilers announced early Wednesday that they reassigned left-winger Drake Caggiula to AHL Bakersfield.
Caggiula, 30, had played in Edmonton’s last five games after being recalled for the second time this season in mid-November. The veteran depth piece did not record a point during that span and averaged 7:11 per game with a -1 rating, 5 PIMs, and four shots.
The former Oilers undrafted free agent signing out of North Dakota has an assist in seven NHL games this season between call-ups, his first in two years after spending all last season on assignment to Bakersfield. He’s in year two of his second stint in the Oilers organization after achieving journeyman status around the turn of the decade, recording stints with the Blackhawks, Coyotes, Sabres, and Penguins after spending the first two-and-a-half seasons of his professional career in Edmonton.
Caggiula has filled in for the past couple of weeks as wingers Viktor Arvidsson and Zach Hyman remain out with undisclosed injuries. Since they haven’t implicated him in paper transactions as of late, his demotion could be a sign that one or both could return tomorrow against the Blue Jackets, or that they plan on dressing 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
A high-energy presence, Caggiula has continued performing as a legitimate offensive impact piece in the minors. He has five goals and nine points in 12 games for Bakersfield this season after recording 37 points in 43 games last year.
After clearing waivers at the beginning of the regular season, Caggiula is nearing the end of his temporary exemption. He can play three more games or remain on the active roster for nine more days until he needs waivers again to return to Bakersfield.