:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64656558/gaetan_haas_wechselte_auf_die_saison_201718_vom_ehc_biel_nach_bern_1_.0.jpg)
Oilers general manager, Ken Holland, confirmed during his July 1st media availability that the club is on the verge of signing Swiss forward Gaeten Haas to an entry-level contract.
The 27-year-old Haas spent last season playing in the Swiss-A league with Bern SC, putting up 38pts in 58 games played. This would place him second on Bern, behind only, former Oiler, Marc Arcobello.
Haas is expected to come to training camp to battle for a bottom 6 center position. A quick look at his highlight reel from this past season shows a player that has a fantastic shot aided by a very quick release. The puck is not on his stick for very long when he is in a position to shoot. However, the Swiss-A league is not the NHL and only time will tell if that shot works as well in North America as it did in Europe.
This is the second European forward that Ken Holland has recruited in his short tenure in Edmonton. Joakim Nygard was poached from the Swedish Hockey League on May 24th.
Holland stated that he wanted to create competition in the bottom 6 and the addition of Gaeten Haas does just that.
Take a look at his 2018/19 highlight reel here:
If Haas does indeed crack the opening night lineup I don’t think there is any question what the Swiss’ goal song should be....