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While it may be a flashing yellow light that the 25-year-old has played for Chicago, Pittsburgh and Buffalo in his two NHL seasons leading up to becoming an Oiler, his numbers are solid.
In 138 games, Kahun has scored 25 goals, put up 68 points and been a plus-18.
When and if the NHL ever starts the next season, the fans will certainly have a scorecard for Holland’s new help.
Kyle Turris was bought out by the Nashville Predators. The 31-year-old had four years remaining on a six-year $36 million contract.
Buyer beware.
Holland, however, decided to roll the dice to acquire a third-line centre capable of being a fit in Edmonton to rediscover his form from when he scored 24 or more goals in three different seasons with the Ottawa Senators. Holland signed Turris for two years at $1.65 million per season.
Tyson Barrie signed a one-year $3.75 million bounce-back contract with the Oilers following his disappointing five-goal season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The chances of Holland winning this bet are actually pretty good with Barrie still having managed 39-points in his unhappy time in Toronto. With McDavid and Draisaitl for the right-handed defenceman to feed the puck to, Barrie is rolling the dice himself to reboot his numbers and his career.
Jesse Puljujarvi, of course, was still Oilers property after splitting to play in Finland in an ill-advised attempt to force the Oilers’ hand to trade him to another organization.
Holland didn’t bite. Now the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 draft has been forced to return to the Oilers under new management and coaching, hoping the confidence boost and gaining maturity will result in his becoming a better pro and realizing his high-end potential.
Smith was the goaltender the Oilers allowed to go to free agency after making a mess of Game 1 of the playoff series and not seeing then net again. He was the guy they hoped to replace with Jacob Markstrom of the Vancouver Canucks, who chose to join the Calgary Flames instead.
It’ll be a fascinating study this season. And next year, Holland will finally have some cap space to work with.
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On Twitter: @byterryjones
