Oilers Sign Jason Strudwick

[BGDDYKWL]

The Edmonton Oilers have signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Jason Strudwick to a one-year contract.

“Jason is a veteran NHL defencemen who will add depth and a physical presence on our blueline,” stated Kevin Prendergast, the Oilers’ Vice-President of Hockey Operations. “A proven leader, he is excited to be returning to his hometown to play and we are looking forward to having him as part of our defensive corps.”

The 6’4”, 225 pound defencemen will be entering his 12th NHL season this coming fall and the Oilers will be his fifth team. Strudwick, who will turn 33 on July 17th, has played 488 career NHL games since turning pro with the New York Islanders in 1995-96. He has scored 11-27-38 and registered 678 career penalty minutes during his career that has seen him play with the Islanders, Vancouver, Chicago and the New York Rangers.

Drafted by the Islanders in the third round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Strudwick played 52 games with the New York Rangers in 2007-08. Averaging 12:56 minutes of ice time per game, he scored 1-1-2 with 40 penalty minutes and was even in the plus/minus rankings. He was scoreless in two post-season appearances.

Strudwick turned pro after a successful junior career that saw him win back-to-back Memorial Cup championships with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League in 1993-94 and 1994-95.

[OilersHockey]

If this is true, that puts Mathieu Roy to 8th on the depth chart again...

I have no idea why they are so afraid of giving him a legit shot... He was an AHL all star a year ago, and some some reason the Oilers don't see him as a key piece with potential...

But I digress...

Strudwick would add some DESPERATELY needed toughness to the Oilers...

[goaliefighter]

When's the last time Strudwick won a fight? 2 years ago? He only fought a total of 7 times last year, 3 of which were in the preseason. Damn man, I remember him fighting Turner Stevenson and he couldn't even beat him. I guess that's a perfect #2 when you're #1 is Stortini

[Podollan]

Why bashing Strudwick?

He is great- He was my number 1 Choice for the Defensiveman spot for my team here in Germany.

He has a lot of experience, is not too old, doesnt earn a lot of money, and barely takes penalties. But he still fights everyone if he sticks up for his teammates.
He is a unterrated fighter and imo a very very good #2 Figter!

He is prolly even better than Stortini -


Its just sad for Roy , who is an awesome young player too who is great team guy as well and sticks up for his teammates.

[bupz91]

Good siging by the oilers. The more toughness the better.

[jkidd]

Good choice. He should add some veteran leadership to a group that is VERY young in Edmonton. If there was ever a guy you want showing youngsters on a team the ropes, its a guy like Struds.

I like the signing. Hopefully he doesn't fall victim to the Edmonton injury bug though...

[kwnger1371]

Originally Posted by goaliefighter

When's the last time Strudwick won a fight? 2 years ago? He only fought a total of 7 times last year, 3 of which were in the preseason. Damn man, I remember him fighting Turner Stevenson and he couldn't even beat him. I guess that's a perfect #2 when you're #1 is Stortini

I like this signing. Strudwick fought Neil and Cote to a draw last year so it's not like he can't fight. Strudwick played 52 games last year and I was hoping for more fights out of him as well. But look at Orr his fight totals are much larger but he would probably fight more if the coach was making him pick his spots. I look at Strudwick like Mcgrattan when he was in the lineup he didn't want to make any mistakes. If this is true then I like it and it only make the Oilers tougher.

[GIANTSFAN]

I really like Strudwick. He's definitely lost a step, which he never really had to begin with, but a great team guy & a solid role player. He's from the Edmonton area as well.

[goaliefighter]

Originally Posted by kwnger1371

I look at Strudwick like Mcgrattan when he was in the lineup he didn't want to make any mistakes.

Gotcha, that makes sense and ill have to say "point taken." Any news on how much they are paying him and for how long?

[canuckfan]

Originally Posted by GIANTSFAN

I really like Strudwick. He's definitely lost a step, which he never really had to begin with, but a great team guy & a solid role player. He's from the Edmonton area as well.

Agreed. Strudwick was always a fave of mine when he was the Canucks, and I'm always happy to hear when he's secured a job in the NHL, especially post-lockout. Good team guy, can play on the wing or on defense, and will step in to protect a teammate whenever needed. I think he could be a valuable addition to a very young Oilers team.

Originally Posted by OilersHockey

If this is true, that puts Mathieu Roy to 8th on the depth chart again...

I have no idea why they are so afraid of giving him a legit shot... He was an AHL all star a year ago, and some some reason the Oilers don't see him as a key piece with potential...

Doesn't Roy have a terrible time staying healthy? Every time he gets a shot with the Oilers, it always seems that shortly afterwards he's being carted off on a stretcher again...

[nyislesfan45]

Strudwicks a great guy but creeping up in age so hopefully, he'll be a backup enforcer and someone else will take care of most of the work.

[OilersHockey]

Sportsnet.ca is now reporting it as fact in their FA tracker...

[staal4pm]

Originally Posted by kwnger1371

Strudwick played 52 games last year and I was hoping for more fights out of him as well. But look at Orr his fight totals are much larger but he would probably fight more if the coach was making him pick his spots. I look at Strudwick like Mcgrattan when he was in the lineup he didn't want to make any mistakes.

This is true. The Rangers used him as a defensemen, and he played pretty well at that position, too. With Orr and, to a lesser extent, Dubinsky in the lineup, Strudwick was more valuable to them as a defensemen than as a fighter. In Edmonton, I believe this will switch.

Agree with Canuckfan about Roy though, the guy is a walking sprain.

[Colt Seavers]

Oilers Sign Strudwick

7/10/2008

630 CHED Sports has learned that the Edmonton Oilers have made a minor free agent splash by signing hard-nosed, stay-at-home defenseman Jason Strudwick.

Strudwick, who spent the last 3 seasons with the New York Rangers, is an Edmonton native and lives here in the off season. He has accumulated 678 penalty minutes in 488 games and will replace some of the toughness and physical edge the team lost in dealing Matt Greene and Raffi Torres.

Terms of the deal are not yet known. The Oilers are expected to officially announce the signing later today.

source

[Purely_Purinton]

I enjoyed having Struds here the past 3 years, he was all we had in terms of an enforcer in 05-06, and wasn't very active last year but provides good leadership and can play wing if needed. Should be a good fit in Edmonton.

...and the Rangers get softer.