The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Linus Omark to a one-year contract. The move was announced by GM Craig MacTavish via the Oilers twitter feed this morning. The terms of the deal are one-year and two-way, in which Omark will be owed $600K at the NHL level and $100K at the AHL level.
To me, this move is an extremely interesting move. Omark and the Oilers had a really ugly divorce last summer, but since Steve Tambellini left office, there really wasn’t much talk regarding Linus. The Oilers are lacking true depth up front, and Omark will in fact provide that.
Few people doubt Linus’ ability to put up points and score. He’s done that at both the AHL and NHL level. The only thing is, he isn’t great at the other things. He’s decent in the corners, but is not one to be confused for a two-way player. That makes the options for him in the lineup a little restricted.
That being said, with Toni Rajala gone, the Oilers sorely needed a player that could slide into the lineup or provide a call-up option from OKC that can play, and that is exactly what they get here.
Omark can play in the NHL, and will no doubt push for a spot during training camp. For the Oilers, this is a no-lose signing.
It’s cheap, short-term, and brings in a skilled player that will no doubt have a chip on his shoulder. It’s not the sexy move, but it could end up being a really good one for the Oilers.
If Omark forces himself onto the team, the Oilers have a really solid option for the third line wing spot with Ales Hemsky on a scoring line. That’s something the Oilers didn’t have previously.
Craig MacTavish promised bold this off-season, and while Linus Omark certainly isn’t bold, it’s a decent move that will help the Oilers, and catches the eye of almost every fan.
Good job MacT, you have made yet another good move.
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