With young centres Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl at the World Cup of Hockey in September, the Edmonton Oilers may well bring in an established pivot on a pro tryout, but general manager Peter Chiarelli says if they do, the invitee won’t just be a training camp face and number on a lineup sheet.
He’ll be there to make the team, not fill out a locker stall.
“We’ve extended an offer to one centre but haven’t heard back and may offer another,” said Chiarelli, who wouldn’t name names.
David Legwand, recently of the Buffalo Sabres and who’s played more than 1,100 National Hockey League games, two-time Stanley Cup winner Mike Richards and Stephen Gionta, recently of the New Jersey Devils, are the most obvious unrestricted free-agents looking for work as fourth-line centres or 13th or 14th forwards.