The Edmonton Oilers opened their on-ice training camp Thursday morning, and one new face arrived quietly for practice.
According to Jason Gregor, the Oilers have signed centre Jasper Weatherby to a professional tryout deal.
Jasper Weatherby, 4th round pick of San Jose in 2018, has 50 NHL GP, but has spent the past three seasons in the AHL is also at Oilers training camp.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) September 19, 2024
Weatherby was drafted in the fourth round by the San Jose Sharks in 2018, and has since spent most of his career in the AHL. Now 26 years old, he did appear in 50 games for the Sharks in 2021-22, scoring just 5 goals and 11 points. In 66 AHL games last year, Weatherby scored 12 goals and 25 points.
The Oilers also announced the signing of veteran forward Mike Hoffman to a tryout yesterday. Signing two forwards to tryout contracts may come as a surprise considering the Oilers depth up front, but clearly, the front office wants to increase competition in training camp and throughout the year.
First look at Mike Hoffman with an Oilers logo on his chest.
Signed a PTO yesterday morning and taking part in second on-ice session of the day. #Oilers pic.twitter.com/6o9oUVNgV4
— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) September 19, 2024
Currently, the Oilers fourth line projects to include Derek Ryan, Corey Perry, and Vasily Podkolzin. Two forwards on the line are pushing 40 years old, and that could be a place where the Oilers try to inject some youth and speed. Raphael Lavoie, Noah Philp, Lane Pederson, and now two forwards on a PTO will be battling to earn some games in training camp. It’s never a bad move to have more internal competition at training camp!
