Oilers Re-sign Tyler Pitlick

The Edmonton Oilers have shown a sign of life this off-season, making their first transaction since the NHL off-season truly begin this past Monday.

The #Oilers have signed Tyler Pitlick to a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/rUswr0JLRD

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 17, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsPitlick, once again, missed significant time this past season due to injury. He only skated in 37 AHL tilts last year, while not appearing in one NHL game. For Pitlick, it was the first time since 2012-13 that he didn’t get a look at the big league level. For a prospect now six years removed from being drafted, that is not a good sign.

All things considered, however, Pitlick produced quite well when he actually played this year. He registered 7-14-21 in those 37 games and was a solid two-way player for the Bakersfield Condors. Had he not been hurt, it’s likely he would have hit 30 points for the first time in his career.

My Thoughts:

I’m pleasantly surprised by this signing, to be honest. After five lackluster post-draft years, I thought for sure that Edmonton would allow Pitlick to walk. Bringing him back for another season is likely the correct call. The talent and the potential is there, Pitlick has the tools to be an NHL player, he just needs to stay on the ice.

I’d rather Edmonton take a chance on a player who can help but has injury issues than someone who has a minimal shot to make it at the NHL level. I’m not saying that Pitlick will make it, but with a stroke of luck in the health department….

The Oilers also have a rather weak depth chart at right wing, and the team lacks right-shooting options at both the NHL and AHL level. Re-signing a guy like Pitlick, a right shot RW, makes sense from that perspective.

Best case scenario? Pitlick finally makes the NHL as a bottom-six forward at some point during the 2016-17 season. He’s got decent hands, decent offensive instincts and can throw the body around. He would be a very useful piece.

Worst case? He once again battles injury and is a non-factor. In that case, the Oilers can walk away from the player next off-season.

Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan did not get a chance to accurately assess this player. Giving him another one-year contract is a low-risk situation which could pay off for the club.

Edmonton Oilers (F) Rob Klinkhammer signed a one-year contract with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL #NHL#KHL

— nhlfreeagents (@NHLFREEAGENTS) June 17, 2016

Just worth mentioning that Klinkhammer is officially gone from the organization. In addition to that, it is likely that the Oilers pass on signing RFA Kale Kessy. Re-upping Pitlick keeps Edmonton covered at the AHL level at the right wing position.

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