"Rumor has it" that Slepyshev was waiting for a call, any expression of interest, from the Oilers but one never came by the time December/January rolled around. By then the KHL called and offered him a contract, which he naturally accepted, having heard nothing from the team. By the time the beat guys were reporting that Slepyshev had accepted a contract to play in the KHL, months had gone by since I knew he was leaving. This indicates, to me, that the Oilers put him on the back-burner, and by the time they finally touched base with him, he was like "yeah, thanks for checking in, but I'm going to the KHL."
I've taken liberty with some of the details, but in general that's what happened. I knew Slepyshev was going to the KHL late-December, early-January because the Oilers hadn't contacted him and the KHL did.
remember that thread I started about 2 months before he officially signed? I trust what they guys who told me he was about to sign with the oilers back then are telling me. There was a problem between him and the OIlers and it went beyond the contract. Which was offered but a few think it was a two way deal and that was the problem.
The same guys who told me he was first coming to Edmonton told me just over a month ago that Slepyshev wants to come back to the NHL but would like a fresh start, which could be interesting I think and I think the Oilers might be better off trading him for an asset.
I am a Slepyshev fan and have been for awhile. But it comes down to numbers. Slepyshev has the talent to be 3rd liner who can sneak up to play 2nd line minutes if needed.
For me, I really liked the addition of Tyler Ennis, all 3 positions and can slide up and down the the line up as needed.
Does Shepyslev have the ability to click with McDavid?
IF we do get a compliance buy out and use it on Neal that could open a spot and then we have the wild card in AA who we gave up 2nds for and in 9 games did not find his game in Edmonton.
We have 9 FWD signed for next year
Mcdavid, Leon, Nuge, Chaisson, Neal, Kassian, Khaira, Archibald, and Yamamota.
RFA is AA
UFA are Haas, Sheahan, Ennis and Russel
Haas was finally settiling into his spot and Sheahan was clicking with Arch when they played together and I liked what Ennis was doing in his short span. Russell might get offered a two way contract.
I think for Holland to get Slepyshev back on the Oilers he might have to make promises that are hard to keep unless he can buy out or move Neal or find takers for Chaisson or Khaira. It is the numbers game.
Oilers finally have depth up front which is a good thing and it will be interesting to how this unfolds
While I would love to have Slepyshev back, gotta figure out where he plays--he is not a 4th liner