Should the Edmonton Oilers Consider Buying Out Kailer Yamamoto's Contract?

2023-06-18 00:53:21

After throwing in the towel in the case of Jesse Puljujarvi earlier this year, the Oilers are likely preparing to let go of another first-round pick, Kailer Yamamoto.

Kailer Yamamoto’s season has been disappointing to say the least on many levels, some of which overlap. The most important is the series of injuries he suffered, mainly in the “upper body”. Some suspect a concussion, others evoke a whiplash, which is not fun. It’s hard to imagine that those injuries haven’t had a serious impact on his game.

Yamamoto’s hit cap is 3.1 million for next season and by buying out his contract, the Oilers would save $2,666,666 in cap space this season. They would be down to just $533,334 dead cap next season. It’s a buyout I could see the Edmonton Oilers making.

Yamamoto is not a bad player, but his small size, his injuries and his reduced production could be enough arguments to decide to let him go and use the money on other needs.

The first buyout window started today, Friday June 16 (48 hours after the end of the playoffs) and ends on June 30.