Joel Persson has signed a new contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

time to start planning the parade

I wish I had the last name Persson, I would change my name to Random Persson.

Wish it was 2 years, but Oilers can’t negotiate so...

He’ll be an RFA still I guess though

The amount seems a bit high. Yes, Persson has been one of best D-Men in the SHL the past year and a half - but he hasn’t played a single game in North America, let alone the NHL, and he’s already signed to a 1-way 7-figure contract. I mean it’s still buryable if need be but every dollar under the Cap is going to count for the Oilers as they try to piece together more offence around McDavid & Draisaitl. Saving 200-300k could be a difference.

Edmonton needs to get themselves out of at least one of their bigger contracts on D - one of Russell or Sekera (unless he never plays again and remains in LTIR forever) and if they can, then a deal like this makes sense. But this gives them 8 defenders on NHL contracts for next season already and European league stars are only sometimes effective in the NHL, and sometimes they don't pan out at all.

My guess is they don't see Sekera coming back, at least not at his full capacity, so they wanted another offensively minded defenseman to try and run their PP.