Oilers snatch prospect from the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired a new forward, picking the pocket of a rival team in the National Hockey League in order to do so.

On Saturday, the Oilers announced the signing of 22 year old forward Viljami Marjala to a 2 year entry level contract after his rights, which were previously held by the Buffalo Sabres, had expired. Marjala was drafted by the Sabres in the 5th round (169th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft but the Sabres and Marjala never came to terms on a contract following his selection.

This past season Marjala had a career year with TPS Turku of the Finnish elite league, recording 8 goals and 44 assists for 52 points over just 54 games in the regular season. It was no doubt in part thanks to his big year that he finds himself on the Oilers radar and now with an NHL contract in his hands.

Marjala has previously played in North America at the junior level, spending a pair of seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Quebec Remparts, with his best season seeing him record 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points in 68 games.

TPS Turku confirmed the move via their own social media earlier today:

While this signing won't be changing the fortunes of either the Oilers or the Sabres, it will prove to be disappointing that the Sabres failed to get a deal done here if Marjala can develop into an NHL level player as the Oilers appear to believe he can.