The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Cam Dineen to a one-year deal worth $775,000 in the NHL and $210,000 in the minors, with $250,000 guaranteed, PuckPedia reports.
Dineen, a 24-year-old left-handed defenseman, was acquired by the Oilers in a March trade with the Arizona Coyotes that sent center Nick Bjugstad to Arizona. He was a third-round pick of the Coyotes in the 2016 NHL Draft.
He split last season between Arizona’s and Edmonton’s AHL affiliates, the Tucson Roadrunners and Bakersfield Condors. In 69 games with the Roadrunners and Condors last season, Dineen tallied 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points. He also recorded seven assists in 34 NHL games with Arizona in 2021-22.
Dineen was eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency this offseason. Group VI unrestricted free agents are players who are 25 years old or older and have played in three or more professional seasons but have played fewer than 80 NHL games. Dineen is 24 but will have his 25th birthday before June 30, the deadline for Group VI free agency.
The Oilers’ decision to re-sign Dineen is a low-risk move, as they have secured a young defenseman with some remaining upside on an affordable contract. Dineen will likely begin the season in the AHL but has shown himself to be a decent call-up option after back-to-back strong offensive performances in the minors if injuries affect the Oilers’ defense corps next season.
Dineen’s offensive output in the AHL is promising, but he will need to round out his defensive game if he hopes to become a regular in the NHL. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Dineen is not the biggest defenseman, but he has good mobility and is an effective puck-mover.
Bjugstad was traded to Edmonton, not to Arizona.