from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

Familiarity does breed content if you’re Riley Sheahan.

The former Detroit Red Wings’ first-rounder, drafted by Ken Holland in 2010, signed with the Oilers’ new GM Thursday, a one-year deal for $900,000, with the hope the 27-year-old who has also played for Pittsburgh and Florida will be Edmonton’s third or fourth-line centre off his 447 NHL games.

There was much conjecture Sheahan might be brought here on a camp tryout rather than get a contract with the Oilers tight cap situation but because the Oilers don’t expect veteran Kyle Brodziak to pass the main camp physical, there was a spot for Sheahan as a veteran signee in the centre mix.

“We’re trying to sign some players, give us some competition … and Riley gives us some insurance,” said Holland, who drafted Sheahan with the 21st overall pick nine years ago and traded him to Pittsburgh in 2017 in a salary cap issue after signing hold-out Andreas Athanasiou and having to move some money....

“If you go to the NHL guide and record book, he had 24 points in his first half season (42 games) and he’s had over 30 points a couple of times,” said Holland, who will let coach Dave Tippett decide where he fits. “He’s played in a third-line role but he has to grab it. He had a tough year a few years back where he didn’t score until the last game when he got a couple of goals. He went to Pittsburgh and Florida since.”

“I know him, he’s a good young man and he’s played centre in the National Hockey League. We have established people at the top end a centre and at the bottom we have a lot of players we think have a chance. Granlund and (Jujhar) Khaira have played some centre, too,” he said.

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