Oilers Trade Omark

The Edmonton Oilers have traded minor league forward Linus Omark to the Buffalo Sabres tonight in exchange for a conditional 6th round draft pick in the 2014 entry draft. Omark has 29 points in 29 games this season with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons, and was pointless in one NHL game.

Omark played last season in the Swiss league with EV Zug, recording 69 points in 48 games. He re-signed on a one-year deal with Edmonton this past August to pursue his NHL dream.

Omark was drafted back in 2007 with the 97th overall pick, and became famous for his shoot-out move below that turned him into a YouTube sensation…

Omark made his NHL debut during the 2010-11 season and was actually quite good for the Oilers. He scored 27 points in 51 games for the Oilers, and looked to be a certain part of the team’s future. His NHL debut also featured one of the best coming onto the stage moments we’ve seen in a while…

Like him or not, Linus Omark has talent. He has a pretty good set of hands, some real speed, and good offensive instincts. He’s a one dimensional player however, and won’t be getting any praise for his two-way game anytime soon. That said, he’s got skill and he’s got talent. You can’t teach those things.

The Sabres badly need offense, and Omark is going to get a chance to give it to them. I think Linus just found his perfect landing spot. NHL roster chance on a team with little to no scoring touch right now. He’ll be a welcomed add.

As for Edmonton, the Oilers add a late-round pick, but more importantly land yet another NHL contract spot. The team has now dumped Jason Labarbera and Linus Omark within the last week, and has moved from 49 to 47 contracts on the 50 contract limit. Don’t under-estimate that, it could come in handy down the road.

Good on the Oilers for moving this guy, who clearly wasn’t part of their plans moving forward. As for Buffalo, they might, and I stress MIGHT, have gotten a steal here. If Omark gets back to his 2010-11 form, this is a capable NHL player. He’s got the talent, and now has the chip on his shoulder. This should be interesting. Best of luck Linus.