It was announced this morning that the Edmonton Oilers have signed Dillon Simpson to a one-year (two way) contract worth $675,000 at the NHL level.

Peter Chiarelli continues to take care of some summer housekeeping as he brought Dillon Simpson back into the mix on a one-year deal. Last season, Simpson made his NHL debut by getting into three games and getting himself on the scoresheet with two PIMs.

The former fourth round pick from 2011 (92nd overall) has spent the past three seasons marinating in the AHL and was rewarded with a cup of coffee for his fine defensive play. Simpson isn’t a flashy defenceman and is known to take care of his own end first which could make him a potential candidate for third pairing duty if needed.

Simpson, son of Craig, will still need to work on his skating if he hopes to stick in the NHL, but this is a smart hockey player that has the mind to make it if his body will cooperate. Listed at 6’1 and 198lbs, Simpson isn’t the biggest defenceman on earth but his hockey sense allows him to generally be in the right spot at the right time and I’d expect him to be one of the first recalls if anyone gets hurt.