SUNDAY FEATURE: Top Line Trio Powering Condors' Offense

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BAKERSFIELD, California. - No doubt about it, having a wingman is a good thing.

Even better when you have two dependable, trustworthy wingmen.

Such is the case for Edmonton Oilers prospect and Bakersfield Condors centerman Ryan McLeod, who has a very good pair of wingmen in fellow prospects Tyler Benson and Cooper Marody.

Condors coach Jay Woodcroft put the three together six games into the season and the trio has performed well in almost every game since. Well enough that Benson and Marody were named co-AHL players of the month for February.

Marody, 24, a sixth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2015, leads the American Hockey League in goals scored with 17 and is second in the league in points with 30.

“By moving Marody over (from center) to the wing it freed him up from some defensive responsibility and he’s really worked on his shot this year and he’s finding the back of the net," Woodcroft said. "They’re not empty-net tap ins. He’s picking holes. He’s the recipient of McLeod’s legs and Benson’s vision.”

Benson, 23, a second-round pick by Edmonton in 2016 (32nd overall) is third in the AHL in scoring with 29 points (9g, 20a).

“Benson is a little bit of the sandpaper, the guy in charge of puck security, the guy with the vision,” the Condors' head coach said of his top line left-winger.

McLeod, a second-pound pick of the Oilers (40th overall), is the youngest at just 21-years-old and is fourth in the league in scoring with 28 points (14g, 14a).

“Ryan is the engine on that line. He’s the legs. He’s the puck transporter through the neutral zone,” Woodcroft said of McLeod.

Yes sir. Benny and the Jets are a hit in Condorstown. Even if fans have been unable to see their act in person.

“Our line has just been really clicking well,” McLeod said. “All three of us are really skilled players who like to play with the puck but we all kind of play a different game and work to each other's strength. I think that’s why we’re doing so well right now. Hopefully we can keep going.”

Woodcroft put his trust in McCleod early on, inserting him into the lineup in the second-round playoff series against San Diego in 2018 after he came up from juniors.

“What makes Ryan who he is, No. 1 is his elite skating ability,” Woodcroft said. “He is an NHL skater right now in terms of his ability to get up and down the rink, his ability to separate from the opposition. His size is excellent (6-3, 198), he’s a big, strong guy. And I think he’s always had a defensive consciousness about him. I felt good about putting him in the second round of an AHL playoff series when he had no professional experience at that point because he does things the right way.”

Still, it’s been a learning experience for McLeod.

“I came with a lot of junior habits where you could kind of cheat and get away with stuff,” he said. “Jay Woodcroft really instilled in me that I need to play a certain type of game and If I do I’ll be successful. I’m trying to do that.”

Said Woodcroft: “The challenge we put before Ryan this year, and last year, is his willingness to go to hard areas of the rink and stay there, not pull through them, not glide by them. But to stay in the battle so to speak, get his nose dirty and to pay a price. We’re seeing improvement in those areas. It’s a credit to him and the work he’s put in.”

Keith Gretzky, Assistant General Manager for Edmonton and GM of the Condors, is pleased with McLeod’s progression.

“He's learning to be a player that comes to play every night, compete every shift and be competitive,” Gretzky said. “And competitive is not fighting. It’s just winning puck battles, being strong on the puck. Little things. It’s the details. His faceoffs are night and day from the beginning of the year to now. It’s those little things that will get you  to the NHL and stay there.

“He still has a ways to go but him and Benson and Marody have been good. We couldn't ask for anything better.”

In a normal season, one or all of them may have already had a recall to Edmonton. But until last week any player going to Canada had to quarantine for 14 days (it is now seven) and from the start of the season all of the Condors knew that they were pretty much here to stay.

Benson and Marody are in their final year of their Entry Level Contracts and McLeod is in year two of three.

“I told all three of them they can’t get down,” Gretzky said.  “They may be disappointed that we’re not like the Kings, the Ducks, the Sharks and Henderson … you can play one team and they have three guys in the NHL the next night. It’s happened.

“Because of Covid they're not getting that opportunity. But in the big picture their development is great for them. I really do believe that.”

No doubt McLeod would love a chance to show he is ready for a third-line center spot with the Oilers, but it looks like that opportunity likely will come with the next training camp.

“There are positives and negatives,” McLeod said of the situation. “Obviously you’d like to go up and get a chance but it’s going to give me more time to work on things so when my time gets called I’m ready and I can stick. It's tough, but it’s good. We’re having a fun year. It’s a good building year. Can’t complain too much.”

While the McLeod line has been terrific for the past six weeks, Gretzky said it is important for them to remain good for the rest of the season.

“Everybody wants guys in the NHL yesterday,” Gretzky said. “We all do.This is the best spot for these players. You know you're not getting called up so just go play hockey.”

McLeod Gets The Call

As it turns out, Ryan McLeod might not have to wait until next season to crack the Edmonton Oilers' roster.

The Oilers announced Sunday evening they've called up the 21-year-old forward to the taxi squad. The second year pro has already surpassed his offensive totals from his 56-game rookie campaign, and in half as many games this season.