Auvitu, Slepyshev officially sign in KHL

Though we already knew neither would be returning to the Oilers next season, Yohann Auvitu and Anton Slepyshev have both officially signed contracts to play in the KHL. Auvitu will join HC Sochi and Slepyshev will join superpower CSKA Moscow.

Slepyshev, who was originally drafted by the Oilers with a third-round pick in 2013, spent three seasons in the North America. He came into 2017-18 with high expectations as a winger who could have a breakout offensive season, but he only managed to put up 12 points in 50 games. Though he likely could have been a depth winger at the NHL level, the Russian-born Slepyshev will have a chance to be a star player in the KHL. The Oilers will maintain Slepyshev’s NHL rights as he plays in Russia.

Auvitu was an interesting player for the Oilers. Never drafted, Auvitu inked a one-year deal with the Oilers last summer to be a multi-position depth player as he could play on the blueline and the wing. He played in 33 games and put up just nine points, but Auvitu had some ridiculously good underlying numbers that suggested he drove play at a high level. That said, he was too prone to defensive zone gaffes to consistently play at the NHL level. After playing most of his career in France and Finland, Auvitu will enjoy a nice payday playing in the KHL.