Yesterday, the Oilers placed Valentin Zykov on waivers to try and slip him through to the Bakersfield Condors, but the Vegas Golden Knights decided that they didn’t want to let him get there and put in a claim. Zykov is going to Vegas. 

For the second time this season, Valentin Zykov is on the move as he was claimed off waivers by the Vegas Golden Knights. When the Oilers took a chance on him back in November, basically everyone thought it was a good idea, and we all hoped that he was going to find a way to add some depth scoring to a lineup that needs it. The scouting report was that his mobility might need some work but that his fancies were good and he also had the set of hands that led the AHL in goal scoring last season. Zykov had 33 goals in 63 games last season with the Charlotte Checkers and claiming him off waivers seemed like a pretty solid bet to make. Unfortunately, the payoff never came in the limited opportunity he was given.

From what we saw, losing Zykov probably won’t be the worst thing to ever happen to this hockey team but it certainly stings from a depth perspective. I’m not saying he was ever going to be the answer, but it is kind of nice to have options sometimes. As we’ve seen with Pontus Aberg in Anaheim, you never know what can happen when you find the right fit, as he has on the Ducks’ third line. He wasn’t getting that opportunity in Edmonton, nor did he necessarily earn it, but all of a sudden, things lined up for the guy and he’s found a home where he’s contributing. Will Zykov get a chance to do the same in Vegas? I guess we’ll see. Here in Edmonton, the Oilers need scoring now so Kailer Yamamoto got the call, and someone had to draw the short straw.

In five games played in Edmonton, Zykov did not register a point nor a shot in only 7:01 of average ice time. The 23-year-old was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings at 37th overall in 2013.