This in from the Edmonton Oilers, news that they have brought back grinding forward Curtis Lazar, former star cente on the Edmonton Oil Kings.
The team has reported: “Return of the King‼️👑 Former Edmonton Oil Kings star Curtis Lazar is coming back to Edmonton as the #Oilers have signed the forward to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $775,000.”
Here’s what the hockey world had to say about the move:
Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer @Bob_Stauffer
Curtis Lazar returns to Oil Country! Key part of the Edmonton Oil Kings 2014 Memorial Cup win.
Hard-working, honest right-shot Center (51.2% on face-offs last season). Slots in as a 4C for the
Edmonton Oilers who can PK as well.
Stats analyst Rono @RonoAnalyst
Curtis Lazar has signed with the Edmonton Oilers to a one-year, $775K deal. Lazar was very good defensive bottom-six forward until 2023-24. Had a down year last season. I like this pick up for Edmonton.
Oilers fan Adhi @OilerAlert
Stan Bowman said that he sees Mangiapane on either 97/29’s wing and that the last player in the top-six would be an internal candidate, between Podkolzin, Kapanen, Savoie, Henrique and Frederic. He said any other move would be for bottom-six roles (e.g. Curtis Lazar)
Oilers fan Paul Almeida @AzorcanGlobal
The Curtis Lazar signing at the league minimum gives the #Oilers a bottom 6 right shot C who is decent in the faceoff circle and he can kill penalties. Don’t expect much offence from him though.
lazar
880 sports radio host Brenden Escott @BrendenEscott
Right-shot centre depth to compete for a spot at the bottom of the #Oilers lineup. He, Philp and Tomasek should be battling for the 4C spot at camp.
Oilers fan for_pucks_sake @andrewmitchell2
Some internal competition to go along with some of the young players pushing. I have a lot of time for Philp’s game too. Looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the bottom 6!
Oilers fan Lak Padem 🇨🇦🇺🇦🏒🥅🏌♂️ @lakpadem
I’ve always wanted this kid on our team. Always seemed like a good fit
Oilers fan Hugent Knobkins @Hugentknobkins
Don’t mind this one at all! Bowman is starting to cooooooook
Oilers fan Brian KrassenPonzi @Jon_Cicada
Congrats, you signed the Canadian Derek Ryan
Oilers fan Finn 🇨🇦 @oilersjayscan
Adding more speedy depth, I’m definitely okay with that!! Welcome back to Edmonton, Curtis!! Glad we could fit him in with what little cap space remained.
roster
Oilers fan Benchrates @benchrates
A forward for depth, who is not bad at defense, a replacement for Connor Brown
Oilers fan Reagan Podelec🍁🏒 @ReaganPodelec
He’s has had a tough career. Geesh. I didn’t think he was even playing anymore
Oilers fan Den Polland @oilersgm2
Underrated pickup! He’s a great depth guy and I can see him carving out a 4th line role for the Oil. Also played with a couple of my buddies so I’ve been a fan for awhile
My take
1. I love the move, a low cost pick-up of a role player who has some speed and can hit. Lazar has been one of the most physical forwards in the NHL for the past three seasons. Edmonton’s need a fast forward line that can get in and hit d-men and maybe fall on surreptitiously fall over backwards on the odd goalie, especially if that goalies name is. Sergei Bobrovsky.
Indeed, if there’s any justice and/opr strategy in the world, NHL teams should make a concerted effort to make sure that Bobrovsky leads the league in opposing-forwards-accidently-stumbling-over-his-legs per 60.
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