Edmonton Oilers Sign Veteran Defenseman to PTO

The Edmonton Oilers are creating some internal competition for training camp as general manager Ken Holland has signed veteran defenseman Jason Demers to a professional tryourt.

Not for certain, but it appears the Oilers are out on RW Jake Virtanen.

D Jason Demers, 34, will be coming to camp on a PTO. He played 5 KHL games and w/ Canada's Olympic team last season.

EDM is also discussing the idea of extending a PTO to former Flames RW Brett Ritchie.

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) September 15, 2022

As Daniel pointed out the Oilers have recently been linked to Jake Virtanen, no word yet on if Demers coming in effects that.

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The 34-year-old Demers was originally a seventh-round selection of the San Jose Sharks all the way back in 2008. He spent last season in the KHL, where he produced one assist in five games with AK Bars Kazan. 

Demers' most productive season came 2013-14 when he collected 34 points in 75 games. The veteran right-handed blueliner will have to impress the Oilers' coaching staff if he wants a regular spot. He'll be in tough as Edmonton already has Evan Bouchard, Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie who are set on their right side. 

Photo credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports