Edmonton Oilers Sign Kyle Turris to Two-Year Deal
By Scott Cowan
The Edmonton Oilers have signed former Nashville Predators center Kyle Turris to a two-year deal with an average value of 1.65$ million.
With day one of NHL free agency underway, Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland has already made some noticeable signings.
After re-signing former fourth overall pick forward Jesse Puljujarvi to a two-year 2.35$ million contract on Thursday, the team has picked up another former first rounder in Kyle Turris, signing him to a two-year deal with an annual value of 1.65$ million.
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A third overall pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007, Turris has spent the past 12 seasons with the Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, and Nashville Predators.
In 726 games, Turris has posted 416 points, including four seasons with 50 points or more. He was a key part of the Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone era Senators teams of the mid-2010s, but was shipped off in a package deal to the Colorado Avalanche for Matt Duchene, before being traded to the Predators on the same day.
After signing a six-year extension with Nashville worth 36$ million, Turris’s numbers slumped. Despite posting 42 points in 65 games in his first season in the Music City, two seasons with 23 and 31 points respectively led Nasvhille to place Turris on unconditional waivers on Wednesday to buy out the remainder of his contract.
With Edmonton, Turris should be looking for a fresh start and a chance to play with some game-breaking stars in Leon Draisaitl and Connor Mcdavid. Despite his recent lack of production, he’s just nearing the end of his prime at 31 years old, and should be given a chance to rekindle his scoring touch on an offense heavy Oilers team.
It marks a welcome-trend for Edmonton in pushing for continued playoff success following a 37-25-9 record this season, and adding some veteran presence with offensive upside seems like a no risk move. Similarly to Corey Perry, Turris should at least bring a checking role with some offensive spark, but should he click in a different system, look for him to pick up the pace a bit and post slightly higher numbers than his last two seasons.
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Turris should fit into the Oilers bottom six to middle six for the beginning of the season, with a chance to move up with improved play.