Saturday afternoon, TSN reported that the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with defenseman Oscar Klefbom on 7-year deal with a cap hit of just over $4 Million per season. According to Ryan Rishaug the deal will be finalized over the next 24-48 hours. However according to multiple sources his contract will be for 7-years and $29.2 million ($4.17 million AAV).
Klefbom’s new deal will kick in during the 2016-17 season, as he is currently entering the final year in his entry level contract where he will be making $894,000 this upcoming season. Klefbom also has the ability to earn up to $350,000 in performance based bonuses during the 2015-16 NHL season.
The 22-year-old, Swedish born, Klefbom was the Oilers first round pick (19th overall) in the 2011 NHL entry draft. Last season, Klefbom split time between the Oilers and the team’s AHL afiliate Oklahoma City Barons. Klefbom played 60 games for the Oilers where he scored 2 goals and 20 points, and averaged 22 minutes of ice time a night. With the Barons, Klefbom put up a goal and 8 points in 9 games.
Klefbom was the Oilers second most used defenseman at even strength last season with 1188 minutes (Justin Schultz played 1577).
Over his NHL career, the Swedish defenseman has put up 3 goals and 23 points in 77 career games. Last season was also his second season in North America. Previously to the 2013-14 season, Klefbom had spent his professional career over in his native country Sweden playing in the SHL, formerly known as the Elitserien, for Farjestad BK. He also played for their junior club in the 2009-10 hockey season.
Klefbom was part of Team Sweden at the World Championships last spring.
Main Photo:
Main Photo Caption: VANCOUVER, B.C. April 11 – Oscar Klefbom #84 of the Edmonton Oilers skates in NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks on April, 11, 2015 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam / Getty Images / NHL Collection)
