Edmonton Oilers sign Viktor Arvidsson to two-year contract

The Edmonton Oilers have signed former Los Angeles Kings winger Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Monday.

The deal, he reported, will see Arvidsson earn $4-million per year. Last year saw the 5’10, 185 lb. winger play in just 18 games due to injury.

Arvidsson, 31, spent the last three seasons with the Kings scoring 52 goals and 123 points in 161 games after spending the first seven years of his career with the Nashville Predators, scoring 127 goals and 239 points in 385 games.

Oilers fans will know Arvidsson well from his time with the Kings, and the two teams’ playoff battles over the last number of years. In them, Arvidsson was a thorn in the Oilers’ side, scoring a goal and 10 points in 11 games between the last two seasons.

Arvidsson has been one of the strongest drivers of play in the league and has been able to adapt his game to whatever style of play is needed. He can be physcial, strong defensively, and is able to produce offence, too. According to HockeyViz.com, Arvidsson has contributed at a second-line rate in each of the last six seasons.

This past year, he provided offence at an eight percent rate above league average and defence at a two percent rate below league average.

Arvidsson is someone who can play in the Oilers’ top six, likely alongside Leon Draisaitl on the second line, where he appears to be an excellent fit on paper. His ability to contribute offence at five-on-five will be key for the Oilers, as Arvidsson is unlikely to see any time on the Oilers’ top power play unit.

For all the work the Oilers have done to address lineup issues over the years, it always felt as if they were one strong winger away from where they wanted to be. While there have been some injury issues over the years, he’s always managed to be a contributor. The Oilers will hope those woes are left behind.

Oilers fans, too, will find some joy in the fact that the Oilers were able to whisk Arvidsson away from the Flames.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.