The Edmonton Oilers have signed Riley Sheahan to a one-year deal. Sheahan was an unrestricted free agent this summer and still waiting for his new team. The Oilers inked Sheahan to give him another opportunity at the NHL level. The deal is for one year and is worth $900K per season. The Oilers complement their roster with this depth signing and reinforce their centre position.
Sheahan deal will be one-year at $900K. He’s at the point where he needs to prove he can still help an NHL team. Oilers get a team-friendly deal because of that. https://t.co/RT9gX6eava
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) 5. september 2019
Riley Sheahan Signs With The Edmonton Oilers
The Detroit Red Wings selected Riley Sheahan in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft as the 21st overall player. However, his career hasn’t been as splendid as one would await from the top-round draft pick. Sheahan has become a reliable bottom-six player, though. The Red Wings gave him the real first look at the NHL level during the 2013-14 season. In 2017, the Red Wings traded Sheahan to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After posting up 32 points in 72 games with the Pens, Pittsburgh gave him the one-year contract extension.
Nevertheless, last season was one to forget for the Ontario native forward. In his 49 appearances with the Penguins, Sheahan collected only nine points. The Penguins traded him to the Florida Panthers this past February. With the Panthers, Sheahan improved, he gathered 10 points in 33 games, but still, it wasn’t the 2017-18 season repetition. After the past season, he has been an unrestricted free agent.
What Does This Mean For The Future
Riley Sheahan is a versatile forward, although he can skate on the left-wing as well, his main strength is at the centre position. As a former first-round draft choice, Sheahan has been able to post 149 points in his 447 games. For the 27-year-old centre, that’s not a bad number. That’s why the Oilers have decided to give him a chance at low-cost, low-risk one-year contract. Sheahan is another in the rather long list of the Oilers depth signings. Sheahan will be yet another candidate for their third-line centre duties.
