Edmonton Oilers first round pick may be done in the NHL after getting no offers

This afternoon there is growing concern that a former first-round pick might have to abandon playing hockey in North America due to a lack of interest.

The NHL offseason is the beginning of a career for many young stars in the NHL. It can also be the end of the journey for a player who once was looked at as a promising young talent. This summer that could be the case for former Edmonton Oilers top prospect Kailer Yamamoto.

Kailer Yamamoto was selected in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. At just 5'8 he was one of the first forwards in a trend of undersized players being selected highly. He would make his NHL debut the season after being drafted playing 9 games and tallying 3 points. This immediate success provided a ton of hope he would be a part of the Oilers core star group.

The following 5 seasons Kailer Yamamoto failed to separate himself as an offensive force in the NHL. His best season was in 2021-22 with 41 points but then regressed back down to 25 the next season. He was then released and signed by the Seattle Kraken.

After one season in Seattle where Kailer Yamamoto played 59 games and had 16 points, he is now once again looking for a new home. Now there is growing concern he could have to head to Europe.

With NHL training camp around the corner NHL teams are finalizing their rosters for the season. With that in mind Kailer Yamamoto has not found a home. Now sources are wondering if a Player Tryout Contract is on the horizon.

The problem for Kailer Yamamoto that could arise is his significant NHL experience. If he does not make an NHL club he would need to be one of 6 players on an AHL roster with over 260 games of NHL experience. This is a rule the NHL put in place to have the AHL be a development-focused league and not bogged down by veterans. However, it has become a hindrance for young talents like Kailer Yamamoto trying to get their career back on track.

With the option of a Player Tryout still on the table this is the best hope for Kailer Yamamoto to stick in North America. If not he could either hope an AHL team has a veteran spot open or head to Europe to continue his NHL career.

Source: Oilers Daily
Oilers first round pick has career in jeopardy with no interest in free agency

Source: Hockey DB
Kailer Yamamoto Stats

À LIRE

Il y a 34 minutes  |  Par Cédrick Gervais Le Canadien de Montréal pourra potentiellement mettre la main sur un prodige offensif

Il y a 1 heure  |  Par Cédrick Gervais Deux sources se prononcent dans le dossier David Savard: son séjour avec le Canadien de Montréal tire à sa fin

Il y a 1 heure  |  Par Nicolas Desrosiers Ça vient d'être confirmé pour Cayden Primeau : annonce du Canadien de Montréal

Il y a 2 heures  |  Par Cédrick Gervais Annonce de Martin St-Louis et c'est maintenant confirmé pour Kirby Dach

Il y a 3 heures  |  Par Nicolas Desrosiers Chris Kreider serait échangé par les Rangers de New York et le Canadien serait impliqué dans les motifs

Il y a 4 heures  |  Par Cédrick Gervais Proposition de transaction impliquant Kirby Dach et les Ducks d'Anaheim

Il y a 6 heures  |  Par Nicolas Desrosiers Mauvaise nouvelle annoncée par erreur par Martin St-Louis au sujet de Samuel Montembeault?

Il y a 17 heures  |  Par Nicolas Desrosiers Deux importantes blessures malheureuses viennent d'être confirmées au sein de l'organisation du Canadien

PLUS DE CHRONIQUES