The Oilers signed Jujhar Khaira to a two-year extension today. Khaira has played 25 NHL games and he turns 23 in August.

The 6’3″, 215 pound centre only played 37 games last season due to a short injury and being a healthy scratch with the Oilers for the final few months of the season.

Khaira has room to grow. He had a good season, 8-12-20 in 27 games in Bakersfield and he will battle for ice time on the 4th line in Edmonton this season. His biggest challenge will be finding consistency in his game. When he was recalled he would play well for the first few games, but slowly his play tailed off. One of the most biggest challenges for young players is finding how to be consistent most nights.

Khaira skates well for a big man, is physical, has a bit of an edge to his game and should get an opportunity to earn more ice time this season.

His new one-way contract has a cap hit of $675,000. Khaira could become a very cost effective bottom-six forward the next two seasons. The onus is on him to come to camp, earn a spot and then make sure he forces the coaches to keep him in the lineup.

I wonder if this signing means Chiarelli doesn’t expect Vegas to claim Khaira in the expansion draft? I’d lean towards yes.