Edmonton Oilers agree to 7-year extension with Oscar Klefbom: Report
The Edmonton Oilers believe in Oscar Klefbom’s future as a hockey player.
Though the blueliner has played just 77 games in his NHL career and notched 23 total points, Edmonton thought enough of Klefbom to agree on a seven-year contract extension with the 22-year-old Swede according to TSN. According to ESPN’s Craig Custance, the deal is for $4.167 million per-year on average.
The deal kicks in after this season when the entry-level contract for the 2011 first-round pick runs out.
Klefbom is also a minus-27 in the 77 games.
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Why give Klefbom so many years if he’s played so few games? If the deal works out, it’ll be a major steal for Edmonton.
Said the Edmonton Journal last May on Klefbom and the possibility of a long-term deal:
This is the deal that we’d more likely see negotiated between Klefbom and the Oilers if they discuss an extension this summer. Lengths typically range from four years (taking the player to unrestricted free agency) all the way up to seven years.
The upside, obviously, is that a key young player gets locked up long-term at a reasonable price; generally teams that do this correctly end up with a top player for well below market value. The potential downside is the risk involved; if the player signed doesn’t turn out it’s very difficult to get rid of the deal.
Roman Josi’s seven-year, $28 million contract with the Nashville Predators remains the gold standards of long-term deals given to defensemen based on potential. Last season, Josi had 55 points to lead Nashville’s defense. He still has five years left on this contract.
Said Copper and Blue:
At only 22 years old, this contract is one that could truly go both ways. If Klefbom continues on the path he has taken through 77 career NHL games, then this deal will end up being one of the best in the entire league in only a few years.
If Klefbom turns into a top-pairing defenseman, then the deal is clearly a steal. And for the player, it gives him long-term security, which is important in this day and age.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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