The Edmonton Oilers signed Adam Cracknell this summer to bring him back from overseas, but they’ll let him stick around in Europe for a little while longer. The veteran forward has been loaned to Esbjerg Energy of Denmark’s Metal Ligaen for the beginning of the 2020-21 season.
Cracknell, 35, spent the 2019-20 season playing for Kunlun Red Star in the KHL, scoring 24 points in 52 games. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Oilers last month, re-joining one of the many NHL organizations he has suited up for in the past. Cracknell has played for the Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks over a 210-game NHL career, spending the rest of his time in the minor leagues starring with the various AHL affiliates.
The Oilers have sent a number of prospects overseas to continue their development, but are also loaning out more veteran players that have experience in other leagues. Perhaps they believe that time on the ice in professional situations will bring them even more ready to compete when the NHL season finally gets underway.