Veit Oswald is exactly the type of player Kris Knoblauch is interested in, and now the Edmonton Oilers are in a great position to get him.
A report from Frank Seravalli on Monday said that Edmonton is the favorite to sign the undrafted winger from Red Bull Munich, although there are still several other teams considering him.
This isn’t just a random summer gamble. Oswald is 21 years old, plays fast, and recently scored 12 goals and made 14 assists in 38 games in the DEL.
His progress is really impressive.
Just a year ago, he only had 2 goals and 6 assists in 46 games, so NHL teams are noticing that he has improved his offense very quickly.
For Edmonton, this situation is ideal. Stan Bowman doesn’t need a superstar signing at this moment.
He’s looking for young players who are affordable and can grow without getting in the way of the bigger stars.
The Oilers already have Leon Draisaitl making $14M, Connor McDavid at $12.5M, Evan Bouchard at $10M, and Darnell Nurse at $9.25M. That’s why bringing in low-cost players is still important for the team.
Understanding why Edmonton is a good fit
This is a team that could use more support from its additional players.
Oswald can provide them with a winger who has already proven he can play well in a professional setting, not just in junior leagues.
He also had a +16 rating during that 38-game stretch, which will grab the attention of NHL teams beyond just looking at total numbers.
There’s another aspect to this.
Red Bull Munich recently pointed out Oswald’s improvement and his chance to be part of Germany’s Olympic team talks, showing that his performance has caught attention beyond just his club games.
Knoblauch’s team won’t rush him into a top-six position, and they don’t have to.
The first step will involve a thorough evaluation, some practice with special teams in the future, and an opportunity to earn a spot on the NHL path by attending a development camp.
This is why Edmonton seems like a more solid choice than just a lucky pick.
The situation is clear, the route is achievable, and the Oilers have all the motivation to keep trying until this deal is finalized.
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