Some more news coming out of Edmonton today with the Oilers. The team signed forward Ryan Jones to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.5 M per season, and also added goalie Richard Bachman on a one-year deal. Neither deal is major, but both fill holes in Edmonton, and make the roster one more step towards complete.
First off is the move that will no doubt reflect on the Oilers roster for next season and that is re-signing Jones, who is coming off of a tough year with the Oilers. Jones suffered an injury on December 31st at an unorganized skate during the lockout. He missed time during the season, and was clearly never himself. It hurt his game big time.
When Craig MacTavish was hired he talked about how you have to have guys in your bottom six that can be a threat. While Jones had a down year in 2013, he was certainly the kind of player MacT talked about the previous few seasons in Edmonton. Jones scored 18 goals in 2010-11, and added another 17 in 2011-12.
Jones has the ability to put the puck in the net from time to time, and that is something Edmonton needs in the bottom six if they want to go anywhere. Jones can also play the PK as well, which will be something he’ll do a lot in Edmonton. He’s a character guy too, and brings it most nights.
Jones isn’t the best player or nearly the flashiest player, but if the Oilers use him in a 3rd or 4th line role he will be fine in 2013-14. His salary is only $1.5 M too, so it is very workable and fits in well with the structure of the team.
Jones said a few things today that caught my eye and if he stays true to his word, Oilers fan will be pretty happy with Jones. He mentioned how he has a lot to give and wants to prove something after his down season last year. He also talked about becoming something that every good team has, a menace. The Oilers need that guy that can get under your skin and has a scoring touch, and the feisty Jones could be it.
Jones, coupled with Gordon and Paajarvi is a good start to a bottom six unit.
The Oilers weren’t done there though, as they also signed goalie Richard Bachman to a one-year contract. Bachman played the first three years of his pro career in the Dallas organization, and has developed into a solid number three on most teams.
Bachman started his career by getting drafted by Dallas in the 4th round of the 2006 NHL draft. He begin his pro career in 2009-10 by playing for the Idaho Steelheads, before playing in the AHL for the Texas Stars during the 2010-11 and 11-12 seasons. He also played in Texas for parts of this past season.
Bachman has been a solid goalie at the AHL level, and is an upgrade over Yann Danis. He is younger and has more potential than Danis does to be an NHL backup down the road. Bachman is a solid goalie and will start for the Barons this coming season and serve as Edmonton’s call-up in case of injury.
Bachman has played in 32 NHL games and sports a record of 14-10-1 with a 2.94 GAA and one shutout.
The Oilers also traded prospect Kyle Bigos to San Jose this morning for prospect Lee Moffie. Both are defenders and both just finished their senior seasons in the NCAA, Bigos with Merrimack College and Moffie at Michigan.
Both are un-signed guys, and the Oilers have until I believe mid-August to sign Moffie.
I’ll be back with more tomorrow. Have a feeling the Oilers are not done this weekend just yet. Follow me on twitter @Alex_Thomas14
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