Oilers look to stay competitive with a boost to forward depth

Even though the Edmonton Oilers seem to have had a very quiet offseason, they did manage to recently sign free agents Tobias Rieder and Kyle Brodziak to help boost their forward depth.

These moves by the Edmonton Oilers are under-the-radar signings that nonetheless will help the team next season. It is always good to have depth at the forward position, which the Oilers accomplished by signing Tobias Rieder and Kyle Brodziak. In another smart move, they also resigned forward Ryan Strome to a two-year deal.

Additionally, Evan Bouchard was drafted in the 2018 NHL draft to help with depth.

Reider, who has a one-year deal, is expected to help with the bottom two lines. But the 25-year-old does have the potential to play on the top two lines. The move is good for the Oilers, who gain another young forward who can be versatile. He had 25 points last season between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes. Hopefully he can contribute with Edmonton and maybe bring those numbers up a bit to boost.

Brodziak has a two-year deal to help boost the secondary goal scoring for Edmonton, which  was a struggle for them last season. The 34-year-old can help on face-offs and penalty kill. These moves broadcast that the Oilers are trying clean up their game.

Brodziak is one of those under-the-radar signings that can reward later on. This will be Brodziak’s second tour with the Oilers. They drafted in 2003 and then traded him to the Minnesota Wild in 2009. Now they are welcoming him back to the fold.

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Edmonton is trying fill its offseason needs with multiple small moves. And the Oilers may not be done, considering they are still in need of defensemen who can play on the offensive side.