Transaction Notes: Oilers, Ducks, Senators
As the preseason winds down and rosters take form, several teams have recalled players, having already cleared waivers, who are set to fill out NHL rosters before (most likely) being reassigned to their respective AHL clubs.
The Edmonton Oilers announced today that they recalled forwards Viljami Marjala, James Hamblin, and Connor Clattenburg from AHL Bakersfield in advance of tonight’s preseason tilt in Seattle.
Hamblin, an undrafted Edmonton native, proudly has 41 games under his belt for the Oil, but is expected to return to Bakersfield and continue to lead the Condors, in his sixth season with the team.
Other transactional notes from today:
- The Anaheim Ducks recalled Nathan Gaucher, Yegor Sidorov, and Calle Clang from AHL San Diego, per their announcement this afternoon. Gaucher, Anaheim’s first round choice in 2022 (22nd overall) headlines the group, likely looking to finally break out in the AHL this season, boasting an impressive frame at 6’3”. Clang, a goaltender, is likely back due to starter Lukáš Dostál’s injury.
- The Ottawa Senators updated today that they recalled a handful of players: Tyler Boucher, Hunter Shepard, Jorian Donovan, Oskar Pettersson, Xavier Bourgault, Tomas Hamara, Keean Washkurak, and Scott Harrington. Boucher and Bourgault are well known as former first round picks in 2021, who both face uphill battles to reach the NHL at this point in their careers. Harrington, a 32-year-old defenseman with 255 NHL games under his belt, recently joined the Belleville Senators on a PTO, having started camp on a tryout with Nashville, before being released.
Although none of the players are expected to remain with their NHL clubs by season’s start, it stands a chance for them to make an impression, and for fans to get to see some former notable prospects skate at the highest level.
Oilers Sign Viljami Marjala
The Oilers have made another addition to their prospect pool. The team announced that they have signed forward Viljami Marjala to a two-year, entry-level contract. PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that the deal will carry a cap hit of $872.5K and an AAV of $975K including his signing bonus and games-played bonus.
The 22-year-old was originally a fifth-round pick by Buffalo back in 2021, going 159th overall. However, the Sabres elected not to sign him by last Sunday’s deadline, making Marjala an unrestricted free agent and Edmonton quickly pounced.
Marjala finished fifth in Finland’s Liiga in assists this season with 44, two ahead of defenseman Atro Leppanen, who also signed with the Oilers recently. However, he had just eight goals with TPS Turku, less than half of the 17 he put up in 2023-24 which may have played a role in Buffalo letting him go.
Marjala signed with Karpat in Finland a little more than a month ago, inking a one-year deal plus an option that evidently contained an NHL out clause. It’s possible that Edmonton will loan him back there for next season, or they could have him start with AHL Bakersfield to get his feet wet at that level. It won’t be Marjala’s first taste of hockey in North America, however, as he spent two years in the QMJHL, the first of which helped get him originally drafted.