Oilers Sign Smid, Brule and Ryan Stone

As per the Oilers website:

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with defenceman Ladislav Smid on a two-year contract (financials unknown but estimated around $1.2 million per season), and forwards Gilbert Brule and Ryan Stone on one-year, two-way deals.

Smid, 23, established career highs in assists and points with 11 in 2008-09. But more importantly seemed to establish himself, or at least make strides toward being a gritty in your face defensive defenceman. For me, he was the one name involved in the Heatley trade that I thought might be the hidden gem of the deal.

And for fans who thought Smid might be a bit disturbed by the news he had been traded by the Oilers, it seems he's laid that myth to bed. “This is great news for me”. Smid commented upon signing his agreement. “I really enjoy playing for the Oilers. I feel my game is improving every year and I can’t wait to get started again this fall.”

The Oilers also signed what looks to be their next fourth line centre in Gilbert Brule. Brule, 22, split last season between the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League and the Oilers. I would expect that even though the Oilers protected themselves by putting Brule on a two-way contract, (waviers come into play here) he'll be up with the big club far more often. In his short stint with the Oilers, Brule had two goals and one assist for three points and 12 penalty minutes in 11 games for Edmonton. The 5’10”, 180 pound centre has played in 157 career NHL games with 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points and 64 penalty minutes. He should add to those numbers this year.

Ryan Stone, is a 6’2”, 215 pound forward who came to the Oilers as part of the exchange for goaltender Mathieu Garon on January 17, 2009. Prior to being aquired by the Oilers, Stone played 38 games with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, recording nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points. In 39 games with the Falcons after the trade, he notched eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points. In eight career NHL games, the 24-year-old centre has recorded one assist and seven penalty minutes.

If I was a betting man, I'd expect Stone to be an AHL go to guy for Springfield, but it won't surprise me if he pops his head up with the Oilers once or twice. More than I can say for Schremp, who seems to be the only forward not yet signed.