Oilers Place Defenseman On Waivers

The Edmonton Oilers have placed defenseman Slater Koekkoek on waivers. 

The Oilers re-signed Koekkoek to a two-year, $1.85 million contract during the offseason. In 19 games this season with Edmonton, the 2012 first-round pick has recorded four assists and sports a plus-2 rating. Overall, this is roughly the kind of offensive production you'd expect from the 27-year-old. However, due to Edmonton's depth on the back end, he has now found himself on waivers. 

Koekkoek could be a player that teams consider. He only carries a $925,000 cap hit and works well as a potential bottom-pair or depth defenseman. However, the thing that may allow Edmonton to keep him is that he has another year left on his contract. With how tight the salary cap is, teams may not feel too comfortable bringing in a player off waivers who has term on his deal. 

In 186 career games between the Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Oilers, Koekkoek has eight goals, 26 assists, and 34 points. It will be interesting to see if he ends up joining the fourth NHL team of his career on Tuesday. 

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