Johan Motin

History

2006-07: Motin registered four assists in 22 games with Farjestad (Elitserien), his first season with the team’s top club; he took home the leagues Most Point by U18 Junior Award for his season totals. He also registered four assists through 18 games with Skare BK (D-1), and tallied three assists in five games at the WJC-18 with the Swedish National Team (Bronze Medal).

2007-08: The defenseman appeared in 28 games with Farjestad (Elitserien) this season, adding two helpers to his total. He also potted a pair of goals and five points in 15 games with Bofors, (Allsvenskan), and competed with the Swedish National U19 and U20 clubs; he appeared in six games at the WJC, and while he failed to register any points, he took home the Silver Medal.

2008-09: Motin appeared in 52 games with Farjestad (Elitserien) this season, registering three assists, including one additional helper through 13 playoff games (Elitserien Championship), in his first full season with the club. The blue-liner also appeared in seven games with the Swedish National U20 squad, but failed to score any points. Expect to see him make his North American debut next season with the Springfield Falcons (AHL).

2009-10: Motin made his NHL debut with Edmonton, skating 14 minutes and finishing -1 in a March game against the Blackhawks. In his first season in North America, Motin played 55 games in the AHL for Springfield and scored 1 goal with 5 assists , finishing -5 with 33 PMs for the Falcons, who finished last in the Atlantic Division.

2010-11: The 21-year-old Motin found himself in a lower pairing role with the Oilers' AHL affiliate Oklahoma City and spent part of the season in the ECHL with the Stockton Thunder. Motin scored 1 goal with 3 assists and was -7 with 30 PMs in 34 games with Oklahoma City but did not play in any playoff games for the Barons. Motin skated in 15 games for the Thunder, including one playoff contest, and was +2 with 1 goal, 2 assists and 12 PMs.

2011-12: Motin skated in 10 games for Edmonton AHL affiliate Oklahoma City before returning to Sweden in early November. He had 2 assists and was plus-four with 8 penalty minutes with the Barons. He skated for last-place Timra IK in the Swedish Elitserien and had 2 assists with a minus-one plus-minus and 18 penalty minutes in 33 games. Motin played in all 10 games during the Kval series as Timra finished first in the six-team tournament to retain it's Elitserien slot. Motin was plus-one with no points and 4 penalty minutes in the Kval series.

Talent Analysis

Motin is a stay-at-home defenseman with very good size and strength. He has the potential to become a bruising defenseman if he develops his physical game. At this point, he is inconsistent when it comes to playing the body and should act with more resolution and confidence along the boards and in front of his goalie.

Offensively, there is little to say about Motin. He does not have the fundamental skills to contribute in a big way in terms of points and hockey sense is limited to playing it safe in his own end. Motin’s puck skills are rather average and on the downside, mobility and speed could use some improvement.

Future

Motin came over early and started his pro career in the Oilers minor league system as a 19-year-old. While there were moments and flashes that he could develop into a useful low level NHL defender, his development seemed to slow--even stall--and he found himself sliding down the depth chart. As a result, Motin returned to Sweden in late 2011 and is unlikely to be retained by the Oilers at the end of the 2011-12 season. He has all the look of a career European league pro.