The Edmonton Oilers have locked up a huge part of their minor league team, signing Joseph Gambardella to a two-year contract extension. Gambardella was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer, but will now be with the organization through the 2020-21 season. The contract is a two-way deal that carries a $700K salary in the NHL.
Gambardella, 25, signed with the Oilers out of UMass-Lowell in 2017 as an undrafted free agent after an impressive senior season with 52 points in 41 games. Though it took him a season to really get his legs under him at the AHL level, this year he was one of the Bakersfield Condors best offensive players. Scoring 29 times in 50 games made him one of the most efficient goal scorers in the league, and he continued that production with six more tallies in the postseason. Gambardella also suited up 15 times for the Oilers throughout the season, registering three assists.
While his contributions so far have mostly been limited to the minor leagues, there is a chance that Gambardella could see extended time in Edmonton next season if he can make an impression on new head coach Dave Tippett. The Oilers are starved for offensive production outside of their big three up front, and need to find a way to lengthen out their lineup if they want to compete for the playoffs in 2019-20.