Oilers take a gamble on trouble player and he expresses his gratitude.

The Edmonton Oilers took a big risk on Thursday and while the risk itself is great, the Oilers have far more to gain if it pays off than they stand to lose if it doesn't.

The Oilers announced on Thursday that they had come to terms on a one-year deal with trouble forward Zack Kassian, who is coming off a stint in the National Hockey League's rehabilitation program after struggling with substance abuse issues. We now know that deal will only cost them $1.5 million.

Montreal waived him after the fiasco that landed him in the program, clearly indicating that they felt Kassian was no longer in a position to contribute to their club despite his pedigree as a solid forward.  Kassian admitted on Thursday he was grateful for the oppurtunity.

“I think with what I went through previously with the Oilers picking me up, for them to give me an opportunity to show that I’ve changed my life around, I was happy with that," said Kassian as per NHL.com. "Obviously, to extend that and come back next year I am more excited,” he added.

Fans will need to wait until the start of the 2016-2017 season to see whether or not this gamble will pay off for Edmonton.

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