Oilers veteran forward will accept trade, GM makes decision on Kasperi Kapanen
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Edmonton Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson is reportedly willing to accept a trade, and Kasperi Kapanen is beginning talks to re-sign with the team.
The Oilers are now in the full swing of the offseason, trying to quickly reshape their roster into a younger group up front. There's reports that Trent Frederic, Connor Brown, and Corey Perry will be re-signing too.
Edmonton Oilers will re-sign Kasperi Kapanen, Viktor Arvidsson will accept trade
According to Elliotte Friedman on today's edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Arvidsson is willing to accept a deal to find a better fit with another team, and Kapanen is eager to stay in Edmonton.
«I think there's going to be, they're going to work on a solution for Arvidsson. He has control, but I think he's going to work with them.
I also do think there's a decent chance Kapanen stays. He found kind of a home there. There's a spot for him there. I wouldn't be surprised if he stays.
- Elliotte Friedman
I also do think there's a decent chance Kapanen stays. He found kind of a home there. There's a spot for him there. I wouldn't be surprised if he stays.
- Elliotte Friedman
The 32 year old Viktor Arvidsson has one year remaining on his contract for $4M, and if he's just looking for more ice time, likely wouldn't be demanding a move to a contender.
Unfortunately, Arvidsson just never found a fit with the Edmonton Oilers this season. Mostly playing alongside Leon Draisaitl, he was only able to score 27 points in 67 games - a letdown for a player who's scored close to a 30 goal pace for 4 years in his career.
By the playoffs, Arvidsson had just become spare parts on the roster, and found himself as a healthy scratch. If the Oilers can move him out and clear his full $4M salary, it will open up options this offseason and won't make the team any worse.
Kasperi Kapanen eager to return to Edmonton Oilers
After bouncing around the league and nearly falling out of the NHL entirely last season, Kasperi Kapanen found new life with the Edmonton Oilers.
He didn't light up the scoresheet much with only 13 points in 57 games, and he's still relatively unreliable as a two-way player.
But when he's at his best, the top-end speed and relentless forecheck from Kapanen is a skill worth having in the bottom six, and it proved effective in the playoffs.
He's eager to return to Edmonton after playing depth minutes with the team all season, and showed an ability to move up and down the lineup. If the Oilers can get him back on a cheap deal, he's well worth it.
The Oilers offseason changes so far look entirely understandable, but the only addition to the roster that will matter is in goal. This summer, the Oilers must add a proven starting goalie.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 23 | 1269 ANSWERS Oilers veteran forward will accept trade, GM makes decision on Kasperi Kapanen Do you think the Oilers should trade Arvidsson? | ||
| Yes | 1069 | 84.2 % |
| No | 200 | 15.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
