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Oilers recall Betker after placing Fayne on IR

Calgary Flames v Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, AB - SEPTEMBER 26: Ben Betker #76 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against _____ of the Calgary Flames on September 26, 2016 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

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The Edmonton Oilers made a tweak to their defensive depth on Wednesday, recalling Ben Betker while placing Mark Fayne on IR.

There’s no guarantee that Betker (pictured) will see any ice time, but if he does, he’s likely to stand out in a literal way. Because he’s a large fellow, as the Oilers’ release notes:
At 6’6”, 228 lbs, Betker played three full seasons in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips from 2012-15, after appearing in one game with Portland in 2011-12. The blueliner was an alternate captain with Everett in his final WHL season.

On its face, losing Fayne doesn’t exactly help Edmonton shake its habit of trying to “out-score” its mistakes. Fayne is a solid guy in his own zone, after all.

He hasn’t really been able to make the lineup, however, with about two-and-a-half minutes of ice time so far this season.

It may solidify Eric Gryba’s place in the top-six mix, as the Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins notes.