Anton Lander Signs With KHL Club Ak Bars Kazan

After six up and down seasons with the Oilers, Anton Lander has finally moved on from Edmonton and from the NHL altogether. KHL club Ak Bars Kazan reports this morning that they have signed the 26-year-old forward to a two-year deal. A deal that has been rumored for months finally becomes official and this likely closes the door on Lander’s NHL career, unless he is able to take major developmental steps in Russia over the next few years.

A skilled center, the question was never whether Lander was talented or not, but whether he could put that talent together for a well-rounded NHL-caliber game. A 2009 second-round pick of the Oilers out of Timra of the Swedish Elite League, the swift Swede gained attention with impressive World Junior performances before making the jump across the Atlantic in 2011, at the age of 20. Edmonton was excited to have the young star and gave him every chance to be an NHL regular. Lander played in 56 games with Oilers as a first year pro, but recorded just six points. He nearly matched that total in just 14 games with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons. So, in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, Lander spent more time in the minors, where he put up big numbers, than with the Oilers, as he seemed ill prepared for the NHL level. Lander scored 72 points in 93 games in the AHL in those two seasons and helped to lead the team to back-to-back playoff appearances, but played in just 38 games for a struggling Oilers squad during that span, recording only two points. Nevertheless, Lander worked his way back into the NHL lineup in 2014-15 and took major steps toward reaching his potential, scoring a career-high 20 points in just 38 games in Edmonton, while adding 31 points in 29 games with Oklahoma City. Expectations were high entering the 2015-16, but again Lander faltered, scoring just three points in 61 games with the Oilers. Lander had the best pro season of his career this past year…in the AHL. He posted 55 points in 42 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and earned an AHL All-Star selection, but scored only one goal and three assists in 22 games with Edmonton. It was clear by the end of the season that both parties were tired of the back-and-forth; Edmonton was frustrated with Lander’s streaky play and inability to score at the same clip in the NHL, while Lander was tired of putting up major numbers in the minor leagues without being rewarded with more big league opportunity. A mutual split has been a long time coming.

Yet, the Oilers still issued a qualifying offer to Lander, a restricted free agent, last month, so they will retain the rights to the talented forward while he plays overseas. Although it is unlikely that Lander will make a return to the NHL, especially any time soon, it’s always a possibility. Edmonton could be rewarded for their years of dedication to developing the young scorer if he flourishes in the KHL the next few seasons and decides to come back.