The Edmonton Oilers signed defender Denis Grebeshkov today to a one-year contract, one that is worth a reported $1.5 M per season. Safe to say a lot of people did not see this move coming, and it took a lot of people by surprise.
I’ve written about this a few times, once over at insiderrumors.com and once earlier this summer, but when I did it was all speculation and rumors. I have to say, even though I heard some rumblings on this front, I never thought it was going to happen, but here we are, with #37 back in the mix.
Grebeshkov is mainly remembered for his awful 2009-10 season under head coach Pat Quinn, but in reality Denis was not a bad Oiler during his first stint with the team. He had a solid start in 2007-08 putting up 18 points in 71 games as a rookie. He had a career year with 39 points and a +12 +/- rating during the 2008-09 season and appeared to be a great option moving forward.
Grebs play went way south in Edmonton following the departure of Craig MacTavish, and he was shipped out for a second round pick at the deadline in 2010. He only played four games in Nashville however, mainly due to an injury he suffered when he blocked a shot in the groin area.
He’s spent the last few seasons in the KHL, and simply has not put up the numbers he is capable of and he just flat out wasn’t very good overseas. That being said, part of me believes that the Oilers might have just gotten a guy that could prove to be a real diamond in the rough and a guy with the ability to surprise some people.
Denis can play, he proved it his first two seasons in Edmonton when he was a solid top four puck-mover for MacT. He has a very solid wrist shot and has a decent first pass. A lot of people remember his turnovers, but remember, he was trying to get breakout passes to the likes of Robert Nilsson and JF Jacques.
Grebeshkov’s signing indicates a few things for the Oilers moving forward. One, it continues to prove the kind of team MacT and Eakins want, a puck possession one. Grebeshkov does one thing very well, and that is move the puck. He’ll add competition and NHL experience to the unit, and has potential to be a real steal of a signing if everything works out here.
The Oilers have a number of NHL defenders, adding up to around eight guys with NHL experience, and one more in Klefbom who people feel can play at this level now. It gives the Oilers options, and I personally think opens the door for another move.
My Thoughts: Nothing pretty here. Grebeshkov is being brought back to prove he can still play at the NHL level, and it looks to me like he might have a chip on his shoulder after the last few seasons. He has solid puck-moving ability, can make a play, and isn’t a terrible player. To me, this is a good signing.
I’m not going to tell you that the 2008-09 Grebeshkov is coming here and will fill a top four spot, that’s asking way too much. What the Oilers are getting here is a guy that can play at the NHL level and has a real chance of panning out for them. Maybe most importantly, it gives Eakins options.
I still don’t think Edmonton is done. They still need two more bottom six players, and still have to address their center depth issue. On top of that, Sam Gagner’s arbitration date is Monday, and one way or another something needs to get done there. I still believe Nick Schultz has played his last game in Edmonton.
Overall, I like this signing, as the Oilers finally have some legit NHL competition for roster spots on the blue-line. This one could pan out better than expected too.
I’ll be back tomorrow, hopefully finally with a schedule break down! Follow me on twitter @Alex_Thomas14
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