Former top pick Cam Barker optimistic for a comeback with Edmonton Oilers -NHL Update
Former 2004 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft third overall pick, Cam Barker, did not quite make the impression in the major league like he would have wanted to with Chicago Blackhawks.
After a number of disappointing seasons, the 25-year-old is looking to make a comeback, this time with Edmonton Oilers.
Looking at Barker, who was drafted just behind two of the NHL’s best players, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, it is easy to observe why he has not been able to find a permanent spot on a roster yet. When others are potting 50 plus points per season and
Barker manages a career high of six goals, finding a reason to sign him on can be tough.
Seeing Edmonton as a team which welcomes players looking to bounce-back, Barker thinks that this is finally his time to shine.
"The way I think of it, the term I'd use is this is a bounce-back year", said Barker about making a comeback in the major league. "Obviously, coming off a tough year with a couple pretty significant injuries, I'm looking to bounce back in a big way here”.
Barker signed on permanently with Chicago Blackhawks after his entry-level deal expired, to a three-year contract worth an estimated $9.25 million in July of 2009. Failing to impress the Chicago management, he was traded to Minnesota Wild in 2010 for Kim
Johnsson and Nick Leddy.
Last season, Barker played in 52 matchups but managed to score only a mere 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) and ended up with a -10 plus-minus rating. Setting the previous season aside, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada native, has made up his mind to fix it all.
"Last year was just one of those year and I've definitely moved on", Barker said. "Last year, my confidence was low, for sure. You're trying to come back from injuries and trying to find your groove”.
With Edmonton Oilers on the road to improvement, Cam Barker hopes to join them on their way to positive change. Seeing if he can make the roster during the preseason will be without a doubt a thrilling experience.
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