Oilers Re-Sign Brandon Davidson and Laurent Brossoit

The Edmonton Oilers have made their first two moves of trade deadline day, re-signing pending RFA’s Brandon Davidson and Laurent Brossoit. Davidson is completing his first full NHL season and boy, he’s been impressive. The former late round draft pick has emerged as an NHL defender. Brossoit, on the other hand, has taken over as the starter in the AHL and appears ready to take the next step.

Davidson:

After winning a spot in training camp, Davidson has cemented himself as a real NHL player. He’s been steady for this hockey club and makes the smart play. Davidson can move the puck in the right direction and isn’t a liability in his own zone. He’s been a breath of fresh air for the Oilers and will certainly be of help moving forward, I’d tab him as the anchor on the third pairing for next season.

Is Davidson a top four NHL defender? He really hasn’t handled that role this season so it’s tough to say either way. At this point in his career, Davidson is more in place as that third pairing option who can move up when need be, a solid all around player.

The contract, two years at $1.425 M per, represents true value for the Oilers, which is much needed. Davidson now joins Oscar Klefbom and Andrej Sekera as the three corner stone pieces for next season on the blue line.

Brossoit:

Laurent Brossoit was acquired from the Calgary Flames in the Ladislav Smid trade back in the fall of 2013. The former Oil King dominated the ECHL that season and then adapted to the AHL in 2014-15, first as the backup and then as the starter when Richard Bachman headed up to Edmonton. This season, Brossoit has been the starter at the AHL level and is the biggest reason why the Condors are still in the playoff chase.

He’s had two strong starts at the NHL level and appears close to being ready to make the jump. I think it’s a shoe-in that LB is the backup in Edmonton next season, and this essentially cements that. His contract could also be an exceptional value deal, as he’s locked up for two seasons at a friendly cap hit of $750,000 per.

While I’d send Brossoit back down to the AHL to conclude this season, there is no doubt that his strong play has him knocking on the door for NHL employment.

I’d qualify these two moves as strong pieces of work by Peter Chiarelli. Both Davidson and Brossoit will be on value contracts next season and both should have a role on the NHL team.