The Edmonton Oilers aren’t finished solidifying their forward corps.
After a busy day in the NHL trade market yesterday, the Oilers decided to shift focus back to free agency on Sunday, agreeing to terms with forward Mattias Janmark on a one-year contract worth $1.25 million.
Does Janmark move the needle much on his own? No. Not really.
The 29-year-old tops out as a fine bottom-six forward in depth usage, chipping in nine goals and 25 points in 66 games last season for the Vegas Golden Knights while averaging a little over 14 minutes in ice time per night.
The key to Janmark is versatility. The Stockholm native can line up on either wing as well as centre, and also has shown he’s able to put up decent results on both the power play and penalty kill, as well. His frame is big by NHL standards, measuring in at 6’1 and 195 pounds, but Janmark isn’t overly physical, which can, at times, hold his game back.
The Oilers don’t need game breakers in their bottom-six at this point, really. What they need are capable NHL-level forwards who can keep their heads above water while logging depth minutes and, in turn, not completely tank their team’s chances of winning whenever Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are not on the ice.
Janmark seems capable of giving them that. And at an annual price tag of just $1.25 million on only a one-year deal, there is very little risk involved in the signing, ensuring that the Oilers could, if needed, bury him in the minors without hampering their cap space much at all.
Until Nazem Kadri finds a landing spot, these are the types of signings that will continue to roll in as the offseason approaches its dog days. Stay tuned.
