Oilers veteran forward Ben Eager has cleared waivers this afternoon. Eager will most likely be assigned to the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL, where he spent a chunk of the regular season last year and played in the playoffs.
The Oilers get a little bit of cap relief with this move, shedding Eager’s $1.1 M cap hit. They also open up another roster spot at the NHL level, and one has to think something else will happen next. My bet? Denis Grebeshkov comes off the IR, but it’s also possible a trade is coming, or even RNH’s return. I’d wager it’s Grebeshkov however.
Eager had a decent first season with the Oilers in 2011-12, but failed to impress last season, and didn’t really take the bull by the horns in the pre-season this year. I thought he was good enough to earn a spot but he certainly didn’t make it impossible for him to be cut, which ended up being the case.
This was probably Eager’s last chance in Edmonton, and I highly doubt we will ever see him in an Oilers jersey again. I’d also think the Oilers were hoping he would get claimed here. They are currently just one spot under the league maximum for contracts, and certainly could use some flexibility with that number for potential additions as the season wears on.
QUICK HITS:
* Forward Sam Gagner returned to the ice this morning, skating before practice with fellow injured players Denis Grebeshkov and Curtis Hamilton. Gagner wore a “face guard” to protect his injured jaw while skating. It’s good to see Sam back out on the ice, and hopefully he’ll be back in the lineup sooner rather than later.
Gagner said to the media earlier this week that he was a bit ahead of schedule and was on a 4-6 week time-frame instead of a 6-8 week one.
* Forward Steve MacIntyre did not skate today, and was wearing a brace on his right knee according to Oilers insider Bob Stauffer. He could miss an extended period of time for the club, which will give new forward Luke Gazdic more of a chance to produce and claim a long term spot.
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