Breaking: Oilers buy out former 4th overall pick

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they’ve placed forward Benoit Pouliot on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a buyout. Should no team claim Pouliot and his $4 million annual salary, he’ll be bought out and become an unrestricted free-agent on Saturday, July 1st.

While the news may come as a shock to some fans, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. With still two seasons remaining on his 5 year, $20 million contract, and critical negotiations ongoing with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the writing was on the wall with regards to Pouliot’s future in Edmonton. 

Signed to his massive contract buy the Oilers after a 15 goal, 36 point season in 2013-14 with the New York Rangers, Pouliot was expected to take a step in his career and become a regular 20 goal, 50 point player with his new club. Those expectations were never met and now Pouliot will be left to pick up the pieces and move on with his career. 

At just 30 years of age, it’s conceivable that another NHL team will take a shot at the former 4th overall draft pick, but he won’t come close to earning the pay check he has the past three seasons. With just 8 goals and 14 points in 67 games with the Oilers last year, he’ll likely have to accept a one-year “show me” contract from a team if he expects to play in the NHL again.