The latest prospect to be re-signed by the Edmonton Oilers is 23-year-old Raphael Lavoie. After a career-high 50-point season in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, where he also represented the team in the AHL All-Star Classic, Lavoie’s play has earned him his next contract with the Oilers organisation.
Lavoie’s contract details
The Oilers announced the contract being a one-year, two-way contract, worth $775K at the NHL level. Lavoie was set to be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, but the forward opted to get ahead of it all and instead signed on for one more year.
Lavoie’s previous contract paid him $874,125 at the NHL level and $70K in the minors. While the initial value of the $775K is a pay cut, especially with the NHL salary cap increased, the reality is that Lavoie is in many ways betting on himself.
With a lower NHL cap hit, he could be easier to call up in the regular season, especially if the Oilers get right to the cap limit with their 23-man roster. Last year, he slotted into seven NHL games, which made up a small fraction of his $874K salary. If he can get into more NHL games this year, his salary might be lower but his take-home income will be significantly higher; and if he remains in the AHL, then he’ll earn a similar AHL salary as he did last season.
It’s a move that offers the Oilers just a touch more flexibility and it could pay off in the long run for Lavoie.
What’s next for Lavoie
Well, at this point, he’s entering his fifth season in the AHL (his fourth full one), and he’s likely hoping that it’s an abbreviated AHL season, provided he can have a bigger impact at the NHL level. This offseason will be a big one for Lavoie as he should be setting out to impress during training camp and the preseason. Who knows, if he can earn that roster spot right off the bat then he’d be taking the next steps into becoming a depth NHL player who still has upside.
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