Oilers Sign Riley Sheahan To 1-Year Deal

Today was a busy day in Oil Country.

As members of the team return to Edmonton to prepare for training camp, Ken Holland continues to bring in new faces.

It was announced this afternoon that the team signed, former Red Wing, Riley Sheahan to 1-year deal worth a reported 900k.

Sheahan is a very familiar face to Ken Holland. He was drafted by Detroit 21st overall in the 2010 and played in 292 games with the original six franchise.

At 29 years old Sheahan is a veteran centerman who brings a good amount of experience to the table. He has never been a big scorer in the NHL, having a career high of 36pts recorded all the way back in 2014/15, but he is known to be a reliable bottom 6 player.

He has bounced around from team to team the last few years, being traded from Detroit to Pittsburgh early on in the 2017/18 season and then from Pittsburgh to Florida midway through last season.

It is likely that Sheahan will occupy the 3rd line center position come opening night, as this is a position that Ken Holland had yet to fill. It is also worth noting that Riley Sheahan’s addition to the team could mean that Kyle Brodziak’s time with the Oilers might be coming to an end due to on-going back issues.

With a price-tag of 900k this is a solid low-risk bet from Ken Holland, following in suit with his previous signings this summer. Sheahan is a player that Holland knows very well and I think it is a reasonable expectation for the him to put up at least 20pts in a reduced bottom 6 role.

Was bringing in Riley Sheahan a good or bad move? Let me know in the comments!