Despite winning a Stanley Cup with the Capitals last year, Alex Chiasson will not have an easy road to stay in the NHL for the 2018-19 campaign.
Monday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they signed Chiasson to a professional tryout. The 27-year-old grinder will have to play his way onto the Oil during training camp to make the team. It will be the fifth team Chiasson has played for in seven years.
The #Oilers have signed Alex Chiasson to a professional tryout. The 27-year-old forward played 61 games for the Capitals in 2017-18, recording 18 points (9G, 9A) & added another goal & assist in 16 playoff appearances. pic.twitter.com/cdiBPYZXXX
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 10, 2018
Chiasson joins Jason Garrison and Scottie Upshall who were also signed to PTOs by Edmonton.
Last season, Chiasson did the same thing with the Capitals, inking a professional tryouton September 9, 2017. Chaser, as he was affectionally known by teammates, made the team and carved out a niche for himself on the fourth line and penalty kill (101 minutes).
Chiasson scored nine goals and assisted on nine others in the regular season in 61 games.
Oilers are bringing Chiasson in on PTO. He had 9 goals and 18 points in 61 games, was on ice for 47% of 5v5 goals, 42% of expected goals, and Corsi of 44%. His expected goals and Corsi were -4.9% and -4.6% worse relative to teammates. He scored 1.27 P/60. https://t.co/ur8pEkGe8g
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 10, 2018
He also scored one of the biggest goals of the Caps postseason during Game Six against the Penguins. Chiasson’s second-period goal gave Washington a 1-0 lead. The Caps would go on to eliminate Pittsburgh that night and win the Stanley Cup several weeks later.
Headline photo: Bruce Bennett
