There has been some recent talk about the Oilers trying to bring back winger Anton Slepyshev. In a recent video conference with reporters (video link), GM Ken Holland confirmed that he has made an offer to Slepyshev’s camp and is waiting to hear back. The 25-year-old is signed through the end of the month and while some KHL teams will let their players out of their deals early to sign in the NHL, most don’t so even if they’re able to reach an agreement over the coming weeks, it may take some time before a deal is made official. Slepyshev didn’t do much offensively in his first stint with Edmonton where he scored just 10 goals in 103 but has shown more of a scoring touch back home, collecting 18 goals and 27 assists in 54 games with CSKA Moscow this season.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Red Wings prospect Jesper Eliasson is transferring to the SHL as Farjestad announced that they have signed the goaltender to a two-year deal that runs through the 2021-22 season. Eliasson was a third-round pick (84th overall) back in 2018 and the two-year term means that at the completion of the final season, Detroit will have a limited window to get him signed before the June 1, 2022 signing deadline. The 20-year-old spent this season playing down a level with Almtuna (Allsvenskan) while on loan from Vaxjo.
- Agent Allain Roy confirmed to Guillaume Lefrancois of La Presse that Canadiens winger Charles Hudon has received interest from the KHL and the NLA for next season. However, Hudon’s preference is to try to remain in the NHL. It has been a tough year for the 25-year-old as he has struggled with Montreal, picking up just one goal and one assist in 15 games. However, he is in the top-five in AHL goals with 27 in just 46 games with Laval which is helping to generate his interest from those other leagues. He will be a restricted free agent this offseason with arbitration eligibility.