The Edmonton Oilers have extended forward Josh Archibald through 2021-22. The 27-year-old was due to reach free agency after this year but Edmonton decided to secure one of its bottom-six options for the next two seasons. The financial terms of the deal have not been announced at this time.
ARCHIE! TWO MORE YEARS!
The #Oilers have signed forward Josh Archibald to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season.@JoshArchibald15 | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/iIlffUfWBM
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 6, 2020
Oilers Extend Josh Archibald
The 27-year-old has been a reliable option for Edmonton this season. Archibald has 12 goals and 20 points in 59 games in 2019-20. He is on-pace to surpass his scoring from 2018-19 when he scored 12 goals and 22 games in 68 games. Archibald has also been a fantastic physical option for the Oilers with 160 hits.
Archibald has played for three teams since being drafted in the sixth round in the 2011 Draft. 2018-19 was his best season with the Arizona Coyotes before he signed with Edmonton this offseason. Archibald does not have much of a ceiling with his skills but he is a good supporting option for stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. His gritty style compliments their scoring nicely.
What This Means for the Future
Archibald’s deal will likely not impact Edmonton’s efforts to acquire more top talent this offseason. His cap hit his not high enough to prevent the Oilers from re-signing pending free agents including Andreas Athanasiou or Ethan Bear. Archibald is never going to be more than a bottom-six option but he gives the team a checker who can score 10 or so goals each season. He is tied with Darnell Nurse for most hits on the team.
Edmonton still has several pending free agents but they might let most of them walk in favour of premium options on the open market. They will not have much cap space but there will be plenty of talent this summer. The Oilers could make room for a reunion with Taylor Hall or splurge on a goaltender like Braden Holtby.
EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 02: Josh Archibald #15 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Quinn Hughes #43 of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Place on October 2, 2019, in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
