The Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with former New Jersey Devils defenseman Yohann Auvitu. The team announced that it will be a one-year deal, but all other details are unknown as of now. The Frenchman made his North American debut in 2016-17, scoring four points in 25 games with New Jersey, and adding another 13 points in 29 games with AHL Albany.
Regardless of the value of the contract or the one-way/two-way nature, this could be a shrewd signing by GM Peter Chiarelli. The 27-year-old Auvituu had years of success as a two-way defenseman in his native France and in the Finnish Liiga before making the jump last year. A smooth skater with excellent puck possession ability and great hockey intelligence, Auvituu played competently for the Devils right off the bat.
However, the Oilers have quite a few defenseman under contract already and Auvitu has his work cut out for him to make the Opening Night roster. Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, Kris Russell, and Darnell Nurse are locks to begin the year as starters, with Eric Gryba and Matt Benning likely to join them, and Andrej Sekera coming back from injury at some point early in the season to take back his top-four spot. Thus, Auvitu will have to battle with Mark Fayne, Ryan Stanton, and well-regarded prospect William Lagesson for the number seven spot to begin the season and then hope to hold on to it after Sekera’s return. However, worst case scenario, Auvitu will provide solid depth for the Oilers in the AHL and make several spot starts throughout the 2017-18 season.