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3 Edmonton Oilers who should not return in 2023

By Almar Reyes

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 06: Kailer Yamamoto #56 of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot against Alex Pietrangelo #7 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Oilers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 06: Kailer Yamamoto #56 of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot against Alex Pietrangelo #7 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Oilers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) celebrates his goal scored against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) celebrates his goal scored against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

RW Kailer Yamamoto

Kailer Yamamoto, once projected to be a top-six forward for the Edmonton Oilers, has unfortunately not lived up to those expectations during his time with the team. Despite showing promise early on, his performance has been inconsistent and disappointing. This season, in particular, Yamamoto struggled to make an impact on the ice, and his lacklustre play carried over into the playoffs.

Injuries aside, Yamamoto’s contributions were largely invisible, which raised concerns about his ability to thrive in a top-six role. The Oilers had hoped for more offensive production and consistent play from him, but he fell short of those expectations. Ultimately, Yamamoto’s lack of impact this season has created a challenging situation for the front office, and they will need to carefully assess his long-term fit within the team’s plans moving forward.

If the Oilers choose to part ways with Kailer Yamamoto, they are faced with two potential options: buying him out or attempting to trade him to another team. Both options come with their own set of challenges and considerations.

Buying out Yamamoto would involve a financial cost for the team. It would provide immediate relief from his contract, but the Oilers would still have to absorb a portion of his cap hit over a designated period, depending on the terms of the buyout. This option allows the team to free up roster space and potentially allocate resources elsewhere.

On the other hand, trading Yamamoto may prove to be more difficult. His underwhelming performance and lack of production may make finding a willing trade partner challenging. Other teams might hesitate to take on his contract without clear evidence of his potential or a track record of consistent success. The Oilers would need to carefully negotiate and present Yamamoto’s strengths and potential upside to make a compelling case for a trade.

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