Since the Oilers haven’t been all that busy today I figured I would do a quick wrap on where some former Oilers landed in free agency.
On a slow day like today, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at where former Oilers land in the silly season. Edmonton has made some interesting roster choices so far this summer and I wanted to know which NHL teams were going to pick up those guys that weren’t in Chiarelli’s plans. With that in mind, I put together a list of where our former heroes wound up and how much cake they’re bringing in.
LAST YEAR’S CREW
- Benoit Pouliot signed in Buffalo on a one-year, $1.15 million contract.
Despite a horrible 2016/17 season, Benoit Pouliot did put up 70 points in his first 113 games with the Oilers. That was some decent production for a guy that generally played 2nd line minutes. That said, Pouliot fell off a cliff this season. Not only did he have his worst statistical season as an NHL regular, Pouliot battled injuries, continued his rep for taking bad penalties, and fell out of favour with Todd McLellan and his staff.
- Tyler Pitlick signed in Dallas for three years at $1 million per.
Tyler Pitlick started off last year like he had never done before in his cup of coffee at the NHL level. In 31GP, Pitlick scored a career-high eight goals, looking like he was finally going to lock down a roster spot, before succumbing to a season-ending injury. Since being drafted behind Taylor Hall in 2010, Pitlick’s biggest knock has been his ability to stay healthy and I do wonder how many games he’ll play throughout this three-year deal. Regardless, I wish him the best.
- Jordan Oesterle signed in Chicago on a one-year $900,000 deal (two-way).
This one is a little bit strange to me in that I thought Oesterle was a solid depth option on the left side, and I want to know who walked away from this one. Did Chiarelli truly not believe Oesterle was an option? Was his name too close to Eberle? Did Oesterle look at the leftorium and realize that he had a bunch of hurdles to clear on the depth chart if he was ever going to see NHL minutes? Regardless of what actually happened, Edmonton lost a decent puck-moving option from the left side of their depth chart and I hope that the Oilers can stay healthy enough so that this isn’t a big loss.
LANDING GHOSTS OF OILERS PAST
- Sam Gagner signed in Vancouver for three years at $3.15 million per season.
I gotta say that I’m happy for Gagner to find himself some stability but it’s going to be a trip seeing him in a Canucks jersey. Not to mention that having Kassian as an Oiler and Gagner as a Canuck has to be one of the strangest bizarro world storylines that I’ve ever seen. Could you have imagined this day back in 2013?
- Anders Nilsson also signs in Vancouver for two years at $2.5 million per year.
Cam Talbot’s former bench buddy winds up in Vancouver to slot in behind Markstrom on the Canucks’ depth chart. Nilsson is actually a decent backup bet for Vancouver (they’re still going to be terrible) as he was solid in relief of Robin Lehner last year. In 26 GP, Nilsson finished the season with a 10-10-4 record and a .923% save on a mediocre Sabres team.
- Adam Clendening signed in Arizona on a one-way deal worth $650,000.
He was only an Oiler for 20 games but it still counts!
STILL OUT THERE
Nail Yakupov
Think about this for a minute… Nail Yakupov was the first overall pick only five years ago and now he’s a free agent, looking for a contract. I can’t remember too many first overall picks that have been traded and not even had their rights retained with less than 300GP on their resume. Is there a team out there that would be willing to take a flyer on the guy? You know he wouldn’t cost much. Either way, it’s strange to think that a guy that was picked first in an NHL draft is looking for a job this soon after being selected but that’s where Nail Yakupov is at.
Ales Hemsky
After having another year destroyed by injuries (15GP in 2016-17), Ales Hemsky finds himself looking for a job. The former Oiler has never really lived up to the potential of his skillset but he would make a nice compliment to a team’s right side if he can find a way to stay healthy. The thing with Hemsky is that he won’t get anywhere near the $4 million he made last year and could be a cheap, skilled bet for whoever is willing to take the chance
Nick Schultz
‘Member, Nick Schultz?! I ‘member. The 34-year-old defenceman played in only 28 games last season and I’m thinking he’ll probably be waiting around a while. Actually, I had no idea Nick Schultz still played in the NHL so I learned something today.
THE BREAKDOWN
Coming into free agency, Peter Chiarelli wasn’t expected to be chasing whales but rather to add a minor piece or two as depth for the wings and/or on defence. With Ty Rattie on the books, I’m not sure how much more we’ll see the Oilers do today as most of the bigger pieces that could have made an impact at the NHL level have already been locked up. With that said, you never know what will happen as we proceed through the summer and guys get cheaper as they wait for contracts.
Am I the only one concerned with no news AT all on the Draisaitil front? I mean McDavid seems locked… seems…
I feel the Oiler team is sitting on the tip of a precipice. leaning and looking over, all we need now is some BS team that has no talent at center with tons of cap space to offer sheet him above 10 million *looks at vegas* DAMMIT I hate this time of year.
Hopefully, this isn’t like a Gaudreau situation that carries out all summer.
The Gaudreau situation was one of the main reasons the Flames had the worst start of any team last year, at least the Oilers have Mcdavid to carry the team in the meantime if Drai misses preseason and needs to work out the kinks.
The Oilers are not good enough and don’t have the depth for just McDavid to carry the team.
The Oil might not be good enough, but McDavid is….
It is still a team game.
The big difference is that the flames could take their time because Gaudreau wasn’t eligible for an offer sheet.
I desperately want to see Jagr’s name on an Oilers jersey. Petey, make it happen!
well vrabata just signed with Florida so I would think jag is not going back there. we still have hoe
I don’t get why a team wouldn’t snap up Yakupov on a league min-$1M deal with bonuses attached. It could be the steal of the off season…and if it is a bust you waive him…bury him in the minors and you have a small cap hit to deal with. His skill set is top notch, his hockey IQ is lacking, effort is lacking…but if he ever finds it…
I don’t think yakupov qualifiea as a player who can have a bonus structured contract.
He isn’t on an elc. He isn’t over 35. And he isn’t coming off any longterm injury.
Hasn’t found it by now – is not going to find it. Some guys have it, some guys don’t. Just the way it is.
Leftorium? Okilly dokilly!!!
Good to see you, ol’ chap!
I miss you Baresnake!
*Waves like Forrest Gump did to Lieutenant Dan when he saw him sitting on the dock in his wheelchair near Bayou La Batre, Louisiana*
I said it a couple years ago, Yak would be one of the biggest 1st overall busts. He’ll end up in Russia soon enough. Letting Oesterle go seems bizarre. I hope he can sign or trade for a dman or two. Oilers got lucky with injuries last year and will need tons of luck this year by the looks of it.
Hope the new McDollars deal doesn’t come with a NMC.
The players can say they want to win to reporters and fans but we all know it’s really all about the ? ? ?!!
yup. it’s all about the bordens.
Would you rather the owners take it all? Or the people who put their bodies and health on the line and who provide 100% if the entertainment?
Seems like Oilers more interested in dumping players and contracts than adding anything significant .
Maj go have a coffee with Lordvallko….I bet you two become fast friends….
Buffalo sure got a deal signing Pouliot for 1.15M. Buying him out was a mistake.
Gotta laugh at the coil and their fans. Welfare for years and relying on the latest welfare pick for it all. When chiapet balks at matching an OSheet for 9.5, back to welfare. BAHAHA!!!
That’s not funny. What’s funny is you like Sharon Cox. ?????
I love the low-level, personal attack responses from coil fans. So much intelligence being bandied about by the fans of the league laughing stock. GO CHIAPET GO!!!! Russell for 4 mil a year??? BAHAHA!!!! Sign mccluck for 13.25 and hasn’t done a thing, about to sign a 1 year wonder German for 10 mil, exchange the eggshell for hope. 1 injury away from dismal failure after a decade long rebuild where futility records were set that will never be broken. BAHAHAHA!!!! GO CHIAPET GO!!!!
the Lames are still going to lose the season series to the Oilers this coming season like they did last season and be golfing after they lose in the 1st round like they did last year.
All you oil fans better smear more oil on those oil smeared glasses you all like to wear. You are gonna need them.
You try way to hard to troll.
Too bad chiapet didn’t put at least as much effort into GMing a pro hockey team? BAHAHA!!!!
*A little bit obsessive there hockeyfan.
I believe you meant excessive?
You would think I mean that excessive because you don’t want to come to terms with your obsessive personality
BAHAHA!! I am a total ignorant piece of crap with no life. BAHAHA!
Like really, is that supposed to get a rise out of anyone? I guess things are exciting when you’re in grade 7.
Got you all rattled and triggered up EH? BAHAHA!!!
And here I thought TOOL left town last week…..