3 Free-Agent Destinations for Kailer Yamamoto

The 2024 free-agent class is a depleted bunch as most of the heavy lifting has been completed this summer across the NHL. Of the free agents remaining, one interesting player to follow is Kailer Yamamoto.

Yamamoto was originally a first-round selection of the Edmonton Oilers in 2017 and unfortunately things didn't work out for him with the Oil as he was eventually shipped out of town. Yamamoto spent last season with the Seattle Kraken, recording eight goals and 16 points in 59 games, however Seattle has decided to move in another direction this offseason.

Here's three potential free-agent destinations for the Spokane, Washington native:

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights have essentially no cap space but they also have a forward group that needs some depth among their bottom six. Yamamoto could battle for a bottom-six role in Vegas next season and it's likely going to take a professional tryout agreement ahead of training to make it work. 

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are in the market for reclamation projects and perhaps there's no bigger on the free-agent market than the former first-round pick. Yamamoto wouldn't have the type of pressure he felt in Edmonton in San Jose and could use his speed and high-end skill to win a bottom-six role with the Sharks last season. GM Mike Grier knows what it's like to play under pressure in Edmonton so perhaps there's a match to be made here.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild need a boost up front but GM Bill Guerin has been cash strapped this summer and needs to find bargains late in the summer. Adding Yamamoto could be something of interest as a league minimum deal could get the job done. Yamamoto has shown he can hit 20 goals, which he did a few seasons ago in Edmonton so despite him being on the open market still, it doesn't mean he won't be able to turn it around next season in the right situation. Playing among the Wild's bottom six could be the perfect spot to reset his career.

PHoto credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports