This week last year (July 26), the Edmonton Oilers traded defenceman John Marino to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, Edmonton got a conditional 2021 sixth-round draft pick.

The condition was Marino inking an ELC, which he did, giving Edmonton that pick.

This past year marked Marino’s first in the NHL, and he had a tremendous season playing 20:15 a night. In 56 games, he scored six goals and 26 points posting strong underlying numbers as a rookie.

The Edmonton Oilers were in a tough spot with Marino, as the 2015 6th round pick and product of Harvard didn’t want to sign with the club. Thus, GM Ken Holland tried to recoup some sort of an asset and while Marino has gone on to flourish in Pittsburgh, it’s also allowed other young Oilers defenceman to step into the limelight.

Ethan Bear, a right-shot like Marino, was able to step into Oilers camp this year and greatly impress. We all know the type of season he had as a rookie for Edmonton, and that may not have happened if Marino had been in Edmonton.

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