May 28: Now that the Oilers have been eliminated, swept out of the first round by the Winnipeg Jets, Nygard can go home. Farjestad has announced that he will return and that it is a record-breaking six-year deal. The 28-year-old will likely never suit up in the NHL again, given the length of the contract.
May 24: The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of elimination, but are technically still alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, that hasn’t stopped Joakim Nygard (or at least his camp) from looking ahead. Swedish news source Afton Bladet reports that Nygard, an impending unrestricted free agent, has received a “super contract” offer from his former SHL club, Farjestad BK. It is believed that the offer carries a five- or six-year term, all but ending the 28-year-old’s NHL career if he accepts.
Although Farjestad GM Peter Jakobsson would not confirm that Nygard had accepted an offer, seeing as he remains under contract with Edmonton, he did confirm the concrete interest and stated that they “obviously want” Nygard back. The forward spent eight years with the club before jumping to North America in 2019 and even returned briefly on loan early this season while awaiting the start of the delayed NHL season. With such tight ties to the club, it makes sense that Afton Bladet reports he has spurned other offers from around Europe and remains interested only in Farjestad or remaining in the NHL.
After the season that Nygard has had, all odds point to a return to Sweden. The quick winger enjoyed a nice start to his NHL career last season with nine points in 33 games, but the Oilers seemingly did not feel that he was worthy of an extended look in his second season. Nygard skated in just nine games with Edmonton and was held scoreless. He spent the remainder of the campaign watching from the press box, even as the team struggled with secondary scoring, and has yet to appear in the postseason. Without having proved much in the league, and having cleared waivers as well, there likely won’t be much interest in Nygard this off-season. With a substantial offer on the table back home, it seems like a no-brainer for Nygard barring an unexpected and mindset-shifting offer from someone else.
Can they send Bear with him? Literally a 5 year old can make a better pass. That guy is a horrendous defenseman and a liability.
@backhandinbaptist – He’s definitely having a rough game tonight, along with a few of his “co-workers.”
Man Smith did everything he could…sad probably his last season
@backhandinbaptist – We should set up a “GoFundMe” page to pay for all of the paint we just peeled off of our walls…
Regarding Smitty, since over $20MM is coming off of the books, it *might* be possible that he comes back and Koskinen is “moved” (somehow), with a better backup being brought in. We can only hope…
If we can get him for a good price why not, he stood on his head this year. My apologies to Bear, as bad as his last few games were I wish I hadnt made such a visceral comment. Got a bit too riled up and truthfully these guys are the best in the world. Out of line to be so rude. My apologies to all.
@backhandinbaptist – I think Ethan still has some concussion issues that need R&R for more healing. Just a gut feel, mind you, but guys that “don’t seem quite right” show these signs that some of us can see/sense, as we’ve gone through some of the same crap. I hope he can get healthy so he can showcase himself in a better light.
If that’s the case let’s hope he heals up. Concussions that don’t heal properly are not good for the guy. Should never rush back with a concussion.
The Oilers need to get rid of everyone who hasn’t won an Art Ross Trophy and get an entirely new supporting cast.
Letting RNH get to UFA is malfeasance. Letting him go for nothing is moronic, but it’s also time to move on. He should have been traded.
Teams that lose for as long as EDM (or BUF or the Pittsburgh Pirates in MLB) are like a bucket of dirty water, you can pour as much clean water into the bucket as you want, it will still be dirty water.
You have to dump the dirty water first.
Bad habits and loser mentality and a black cloud culture set in like rot.
I agree. Since the game 7 of the Cup finals in 2006 this team has had the same habits. Get a lead, rest on it, stop making good plays/passes, lose lead, panic, can’t make good plays/passes, lose game. I’ve watched it time and time and time and time again. I wonder if some of the staff also have a part to play but I don’t know. But there is a loser culture here in E-town. And we may lose McDavid because of it. Cmon guys.
this team is like a pig with lipstick on it. McDavid and Leon are the lipstick.