Breaking news that Edmonton Oilers have signed big winger Benoit Pouliot to a five-year deal for $20 MM.
We had identified Pouliot previously as a prime target for the Oilers, writing this profile on the vagabond winger two weeks ago: Related post: Benoit Pouliot a power winger who would check off a few boxes for Oilers
Pouliot also topped this morning's wish list post on wingers, in which we summarized his appeal:
Let's start with a man mentioned in this space a while back, Benoit Pouliot. He's a proven top nine option of appropriate size (6'3, 197), age (28 in September), experience (371 NHL games plus another 54 in the playoffs), and scoring touch (30+ points in each of the last three non-lockout seasons) to be a solid add to many an NHL team. For reasons not fully explained, he has kicked around from pillar to post, signing one-year contracts in five different NHL cities the past five years, posting excellent possession stats wherever he's gone. Presumably he would be open to a solid commitment that includes term as well as dollars. He won't come cheap, but quick fixes seldom do.
Quite a turnaround from five 1-year deals to one 5-year deal. While Pouliot's history of going from team to team is a tad strange, his ability to post good underlying numbers wherever he goes bodes well. In his most recent gig in New York, he posted decent 'overlying' numbers as well: including playoffs, he played 105 games with boxcars of 20-26-46, +18, with 82 penalty minutes on a very effective third line. He was credited with a combined 200 hits over the long season, second most of any Ranger forward behind only the mammoth Brian Boyle.
Be forewarned Pouliot is noted for his lack of discipline in the offensive zone leading to 'unnecessary' penalties. That said, the Oilers have long lacked a bull-in-a-china-shop type forward who doesn't mind barging into the tough areas and who actually has a clue what to do when he gets there. If O-zone penalties are a price to pay for that, in the bigger picture Oilers fans consider them a cost of doing business. Benoit Pouliot career stats Benoit Pouliot advanced stats 2011-14
With the signings of Pouliot and defender Mark Fayne, covered by David Staples in this post, Craig MacTavish wasted no time in checking off two of his key boxes, adding size, experience, and most importantly, ability. The Oilers have two more Actual NHLers™ than they had a day ago. With, perhaps, more to come. Links to the NHL's July Shopping Spree The Oilers depth chart after the 2014 draft Centres: Should the Oilers look at Statsny, Grabovski, Bolland or some other UFA centre? Centres: Grabovski, Legwand Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators Brian Boyle, New York Rangers Olli Jokinen, Winnipeg Jets Peter Mueller, Europe Wingers: Should Oilers target Iginla, Moss, Kulemin or some other winger? Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets Benoit Pouliot, New York Rangers Ales Hemsky, Ottawa Senators D-men: Should Oilers sign Fayne, Gilbert or Stralman? D-men part 2: Fayne, Boychuk, Stralman, Phaneuf Christian Ehrhoff, Buffalo Sabres Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs and here Mike Green, Washington Capitals Braydon Coburn, Philadelphia Flyers Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins Anton Stralman, New York Rangers Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers Dmitry Kulikov, Florida Panthers Johnny Boychuk, Boston Bruins Mark Fayne, New Jersey Devils and here Kyle Quincey, Detroit Red Wings Derek Engelland, Pittsburgh Penguins Mark Fraser and Taylor Fedun Five free agents to stay away from: Bolland, Vanek, Niskanen, Engelland and Richards Follow Bruce McCurdy on Twitter
Post By http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2014/07/01/benoit-pouliot-signs-five-year-20-mm-deal-with-edmonton-oilers/
0 comments Blogger 0 Facebook
Post a Comment