NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers Had Interest in Veteran Center

Earlier this week, Riley Nash signed a two-year, AHL contract with the Charlotte Checkers. With this, the 33-year-old has job security for the next two years, but he reportedly almost had an offer on the table from an NHL club. According to Daniel Nugent-Bowman, the Oilers considered sending a professional tryout (PTO) offer to the veteran.

The Oilers were considering inviting Nash to camp on a PTO. https://t.co/te4P1Fg43P
— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) September 16, 2022

Interestingly, Nash actually began his career with the Oilers organization, as they selected him with the 21st overall pick of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. However, he never played a game for the team, as he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes before signing his entry-level contract in 2010. The prospect of a reunion was there, but Nash signing in the AHL squashed any chance of that.

Had Nash signed a PTO with the Oilers, it would have given them another potential bottom-six forward, had he earned himself a contract for the 2022-23 season. Yet, the 627-game veteran will be in the AHL instead from here.