It appears that Slater Koekkoek will be drawing into the Oilers lineup Saturday after for the team’s season finale.
Oilers play-by-play voice Jack Michaels tweeted out lines from a Friday practice that featured Koekkoek on the third pair alongside Ethan Bear.
He had inked a one-year deal with the Oilers ahead of the season and his injury was nothing short of unfortunate. His underlying numbers were poor, but that was likely in thanks to a horrifically low 94 PDO and a very small sample size of only 17 games.
He spent the last two seasons prior to this with Chicago where he was positive positive shot attempt and expected goal numbers.
According to hockeyviz.com, Koekkoek has provided offence at a five percent rate higher than league average and defence at a four percent rate better than league average. He could be a prime candidate to be re-signed this offseason to a sub $1-million deal.
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@oilersnation.com.
