Yesterday, the Oilers placed Valentin Zykov on waivers to try and slip him through to the Bakersfield Condors, but the Vegas Golden Knights decided that they didn’t want to let him get there and put in a claim. Zykov is going to Vegas.
Vegas claimed Zykov. He won't be going to Bakersfield.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) December 29, 2018
For the second time this season, Valentin Zykov is on the move as he was claimed off waivers by the Vegas Golden Knights. When the Oilers took a chance on him back in November, basically everyone thought it was a good idea, and we all hoped that he was going to find a way to add some depth scoring to a lineup that needs it. The scouting report was that his mobility might need some work but that his fancies were good and he also had the set of hands that led the AHL in goal scoring last season. Zykov had 33 goals in 63 games last season with the Charlotte Checkers and claiming him off waivers seemed like a pretty solid bet to make. Unfortunately, the payoff never came in the limited opportunity he was given.
From what we saw, losing Zykov probably won’t be the worst thing to ever happen to this hockey team but it certainly stings from a depth perspective. I’m not saying he was ever going to be the answer, but it is kind of nice to have options sometimes. As we’ve seen with Pontus Aberg in Anaheim, you never know what can happen when you find the right fit, as he has on the Ducks’ third line. He wasn’t getting that opportunity in Edmonton, nor did he necessarily earn it, but all of a sudden, things lined up for the guy and he’s found a home where he’s contributing. Will Zykov get a chance to do the same in Vegas? I guess we’ll see. Here in Edmonton, the Oilers need scoring now so Kailer Yamamoto got the call, and someone had to draw the short straw.
In five games played in Edmonton, Zykov did not register a point nor a shot in only 7:01 of average ice time. The 23-year-old was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings at 37th overall in 2013.
ZYKOV’S SEASON SO FAR
| Season | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PPG | PPP | SHG | SHP | GWG | OTG | S | S% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| NHL Career | 30 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 11.8 |
Source: Jason Gregor, Verified Twitter Account, 12/29/2018 – 10:13 am MST
Watch Zykov become a regular goal scorer on a team that actually knows how to develop talent.
Because their long, storied history tells you that much?
This time next year he’s playing with/against Yak in the KHL.
Oilers GM is hockey incompetent. #Lose4Hughes #draftpartyplanninginOctober #becauseOilers Losing streak extends until the New Year at least.
Zykov is a bad NHL player, we made room for Yamamoto to begin to become a regular Oiler. That is how it is done isn’t it?
Hey, look at it this way. He’s off the books. Every little bit has to help.
Thanks Vegas
This does free up one spot in terms of the number of players under contract. Suspect this is part of Chia’s plan for a follow-up blockbuster trade ……..something along the lines of McDavid to the L.A. Kings for Brown, Carter and Muzzin (L.A. gladly retains any necessary $ in order for Oil to remain under the cap), so that he can completely destroy the franchise before he is fired.
I realize that Zykov may not ever be a valuable asset, but to lose him for nothing, without providing him hardly any icetime, seems rather incompetent in terms of asset management. Then again, that fits the Chia style. There is a good article on Hockeybuzz indicating that the author would gladly see the Oil miss the playoffs again if it ensured that Chia would be fired at the end of the year. I couldn’t agree more. While missing the playoffs yet again would hurt, at least we’d have some hope with Chia out of the way. To those like Bobby Nichs who suggest that Chia has done a great job with the farm system, I would counter with “the same farm system he destroyed with trades like the famous Reinhart trade ?” – possibly the worst in frachise history.” Last summer Bobby N. indicated he believed in Chia’s plan and that they would communicate the plan shortly thereafter. To my knowledge their has never been any such communication….. maybe because there is no plan ??
As for Yamamoto, bringing him up is not going to be the answer. The team has been crippled by injuries to an average (at best) defense. Klefbom was carrying the defense, playing huge minutes, and we’re going to be in trouble until he is able to return and play at that same level. I fear that by that time we will be out of the playoff picture and in “lose for Hughes” mode. I think Yamo would be better off away from the disaster that I suspect will occur in Edmonton over the next 4-6 weeks (until Klefbom returns).
All I pray for is that …..
▪management is smart enough that they prohibit Chia from making any trades on his own.
▪Chia is fired immediately following the season.
▪Bobby Nichs joins Chia on the unemployment line following this season.j
Aberg> Yamamoto
Zykov> Yamamoto
Dimwit.
Kettle black.