Oilers Sign Forward Minard & Defenseman Nickerson

The Edmonton Oilers added a couple of depth players last Monday night by signing left wing Chris Minard and defenseman Matt Nickerson to contracts. Minard signed a one-year deal worth $500,000, while the exact length and financial terms of Nickerson’s deal was not disclosed. In 20 games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minard scored one goal and two assists for three points while winning the Stanley Cup with the team. He also appeared in 54 games with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, scoring 34 goals and 23 assists for 57 points. Nickerson appeared in 40 games last season with Ilves of the Finnish League, scoring one goal and one assist for two points and 156 penalty minutes. He has never played in an NHL game. Minard is not a bad depth signing for the Oilers, as he plays real hard every shift he’s on the ice. He’s also been a proven scorer at the AHL level, so if he gets sent to the minors, Minard will give the Oilers’ AHL affiliate plenty of scoring depth. The Nickerson signing is really just to add gritty, defensive depth to the Oilers’ AHL team in Springfield. He likely won’t see any NHL action next season.