The Edmonton Oilers have signed another 2017 draft pick, after inking first-round pick Kailer Yamamoto earlier this summer. Dmitri Samorukov, the team’s third-round pick has signed his three-year entry-level contract. That brings Edmonton to 49 of their allotted 50 contracts, though several of those will fall off when sent back to junior. 18 and 19 year olds playing in junior or European leagues don’t count towards their team’s total.
Samorukov played last season for the Guelph Storm of the OHL, scoring 20 points in 67 games after coming over from Russia. He’s expected to play there again after attending the Oilers’ rookie camp. The 6’2″ defenseman has twice played for the Russian U18 World Junior team, and is a possibility to suit up for the U20 team this year. He won’t turn 19 until June of next year, but with his advanced size and play he could play the tournament at a young age.
Edmonton is desperately trying to develop defensemen in order to supply a Connor McDavid-led team with some depth on the back end, and Samorukov is one to watch this season. A former second-overall pick in the CHL import draft, his play at the end of last season showed there could be big upside hidden beneath a fairly raw product.