Report: Edmonton Oilers ‘likely’ to sign forward Adam Cracknell

The Edmonton Oilers appear to be close to making their first signing of the offseason.

According to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, the Oilers have had discussions with 35-year-old forward @Adam Cracknell and that a contract is likely to come from it.

Cracknell played last season in the KHL with the Kunlun Red Star scoring 10 goals and 24 points in 52 games. Historically he’s been a tweener between the NHL and AHL and most recently played in North America in 2018-19 splitting time between the Toronto Marlies and San Diego Gulls of the AHL and the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL.

He’s played 11 seasons in the AHL scoring 144 goals and 309 points in 530 games, while scoring 21 goals and 43 points in 210 NHL games. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 2004 entry draft by the Calgary Flames

Cracknell played eight games for the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015-16 season when the club claimed him off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.

If a deal is made official, it would be a win for the Oilers AHL club given Cracknell’s proven track record of producing at that level. Though, the signing is a bit of a surprise. He’s far from someone who would be an impact player at the NHL level and is likely no better than any Oilers on the current roster.

If the signing is just for the AHL, like I mentioned, it would be a win, but I just don’t see Cracknell breaking into the Oilers lineup unless there were multiple injuries to the top-12.

On Twitter: @zjlaing