My friends, the Australian Gretzky era is officially over in Edmonton as it was announced this morning that Nathan Walker has been reclaimed by the Washington Capitals. What a run. 

After being claimed on waivers by the Oilers on December 1st, Nathan Walker was reclaimed this morning by the team he left less than three weeks ago. Over two games played with Edmonton, Walker got two shots, two PIMs, and was a -1 to go along with the 20:40 minutes worth of ice time. His time here likely won’t be a career highlight for the Australian, but it will likely still get him invited to the final night at Rogers Place to salute the old barn whenever it closes 30 years from now. That’s gotta count for something, right? Of course it does.

Now that you’ve had a chance to sit down and get over your grief of losing the thunder from down under, let’s take a look at what this move means for the Oilers. Having Walker claimed back by the Capitals brings the Oilers down to 47 contracts which gives Peter Chiarelli a little bit of flexibility to make a move or two. Whether or not he actually does it is a different question, mind you. Cap Space is still waiting on the bench for its time to shine after that Eberle trade but maybe this added contract space will be the trigger that gets the GM spending?

Regardless of what happens with the extra contract room, we wish Nathan Walker the best in his return to Washington. Once an Oiler always an Oiler… or something like that.

Fin.

Source: Elliotte Friedman, Verified Twitter Account, 12/20/2017, 10:02am MST