Oilers announce surprising signing of player believed to be leaving organization

Just a few weeks ago, reports surfaced that Jarventie was signing a one year contract to return to Finland and play for his hometown team Tampere, but now that's out the window.

The Oilers announced the surprising new contract on social media today, revealing it's a two-way contract for the minimum salary of $775,000 for only one year.

Given the credible reports of him leaving the organization to sign in Finland, Oilers GM Stan Bowman may deserve some credit for convincing the player to stay in the program, at least for one more year.

According to Jason Gregor, Jarventie fully signed the contract in Finland, but had an out clause in case the Oilers wanted to keep him.

The Oilers acquired Jarventie in a trade with the Ottawa Senators last offseason, sending away their former first round draft pick in Xavier Bourgault. On the surface it was a great trade for the Oilers, dumping a prospect trending downward for another promising player.

However, Jarventie never really got going in the Oilers organization. He arrived dealing with a lower body injury, and only got to play two games before being ruled out for the rest of the year.

Previously in the AHL though, Jarventie has been extremely successful. In his age 20 season, Jarventie scored 20 points in 22 games with the AHL's Belleville Senators.

A 6'2, 22 year old left winger with scoring talent, Jarventie is a quality player and it's smart for the Oilers to keep him within the organization. Bowman deserves his props here for mending a relationship with Jarventie, and keeping him from going to Finland.