Mike Cammalleri, Edmonton Oilers
Harper Cotie
There are several notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) still looking for NHL contracts, but Mike Cammalleri tops the list in my opinion. The sharp-shooting winger was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers by the Los-Angeles Kings back in November, in a one-for-one deal for Jussi Jokinen. At 36 years-old, Cammalleri’s production has dropped the last few seasons. In 51 games with the Oilers in 2017-18, Cammalleri registered four goals and 18 assists for 22 points.
Last year might have been a hiccup for Cammalleri. In his previous three seasons spent with the New Jersey Devils, Cammalleri had 31 points in 61 games in 2016-17, 38 points in 42 games in 2015-16, and 42 points in 68 games in 2014-15. That same year included 27 goals for Cammalleri. The Toronto native’s best years were in 2006-07 with the Kings, where he recorded 34 goals and 46 assists for 80 points. His next best year was in 2008-09 with the Calgary Flames, where he put up 39 goals and 43 assists for 82 points in 81 games.
It’s highly unlikely that Cammalleri will ever put up those kinds of numbers again, but he very well could get back to a 40-point season. Cammalleri has one of the best one-timers that the NHL has ever seen, and could really help a team’s powerplay, both on the point and on the wing. I have to say I was a bit surprised that Peter Chiarelli and the Oilers didn’t bring him back this off-season.
A veteran like Cammalleri could be a really nice fit on Connor McDavid’s wing. A centreman who could easily help him get back to the production that we’ve seen from Cammalleri in year’s past. I guess the Oilers’ feel that a player like Ryan Strome, Tobias Reider or even Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be better suited on McDavid’s right-wing. Last year, Cammalleri signed a one-year, $1 million dollar-deal with the Kings. If a team chooses to take a chance on him, a one-year price tag would be cheap. The other route is a PTO (professional try-out offer), which a lot of teams go for.
A one-year deal at $650,000 would be perfect for Cammalleri. A low risk, high reward kind of signing. We’ll keep an eye on Cammalleri and the rest of the available UFAs for the next few weeks. The NHL’s pre-season starts on September 15th.