Oilers Sign Brandon Davidson to an Entry-Level Contract

The Edmonton Oilers have signed their 6th round pick from the 2010 draft, Brandon Davidson.

The team announced today that Davidson has signed a 3 yr. Entry-Level deal. Davidson is yet another left handed defenceman in the system whose game is primarily defensive in nature. At 6'1 and 202 lbs, he does offer some long-term potential for a bottom-pairing blueliner, but likely with very limited offensive upside.

I personally find this strange given the report that the Oilers have chosen to sign Davidson, yet are expected to let Jeremie Blain, their 4th round pick in that same draft, walk away and re-enter the draft this year.

While Blain would personally be my selection if forced to choose between the two, Davidson has done nothing but outperform his draft position since his draft day. His performance has improved each season since being drafted, including 13g-36a-49p in this, his final season with the Regina Pats.

It may be a bit of a back-handed compliment, but perhaps one of the best things Davidson has going for him is that he is likely to need a longer development timeline than some of the other blueliners currently in the system in his age group, which likely lets the Oilers consider starting him in the ECHL and clearing some of the logjam in the AHL this season.

Had the team not signed him by midnight tonight, they would have forfeited his rights and Davidson would have been permitted to re-enter the draft next month.

He was ranked at #21 in our most recent Top 25 under 25.