Rumor: Kailer Yamamoto To Sign Bridge Deal With Edmonton Oilers

Restricted free agent Kailer Yamamoto has yet to sign his new contract with the Edmonton Oilers. According to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Sun, the Oilers' small amount of cap space means that the young winger will likely have to return on a bridge deal.

The Oilers have been big spenders this off-season, as they have brought in a number of new additions like Zach Hyman, Warren Foegele, Cody Ceci and Duncan Keith. They also re-signed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tyson Barrie. Darnell Nurse's huge extension doesn't even kick in until the 2022-23 season, either.

Thus, the Oilers may have no choice when it comes to Yamamoto. The 22-year-old winger had a bit of a down year this past season, as he had eight goals and 21 points in 52 games. Those are not bad statistics, but one has to remember that he had a 26-point campaign in just 27 games the season before. Therefore, he has the potential to be a legitimate top-six winger in this league.

It will be interesting to see how the Oilers end up handling him not only this off-season, but also when his eventual bridge deal expires. They have a lot of expensive contracts.