Kailer Yamamoto Lands Contract After Strong Preseason on PTO

After an impressive preseason while on a PTO, Kailer Yamamoto has officially landed a standard player's contract with the Utah Hockey Club. It's a one-year, two-way deal, the team has announced. 

We have signed Kailer Yamamoto to a one-year, two-way contract. #UtahHC pic.twitter.com/imUwSDdJrE

— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) October 6, 2024

We suggested on Friday that Yamamoto would be one of the next players on a professional tryout to land a formal deal, and that has now come to fruition for the 26-year-old. 

The former 1st-rounder (22nd overall, 2017 NHL Draft) has fit in nicely with Utah, even showing chemistry while getting a look on the team's top line with Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton. He scored twice in that role in Tuesday night's exhibition victory over the San Jose Sharks. 

While he elevated himself to 20-goal status in 2021-22 with the Edmonton Oilers, he dropped to 10 goals the season following and was allowed to leave as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023. 

 He signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last year with the Seattle Kraken, but fell even further, to an eight-goal season with just 16 points in 59 games. 

 Photo: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images