Veteran winger Scottie Upshall joined the Edmonton Oilers after becoming a free-agent this summer. But Upshall didn’t get a guaranteed contract from the Oilers and only signed on a professional tryout. In order to stay with the team, the 34-year-old will have to show some impressive performances during training camp.
Scottie Upshall spent the last three seasons with St. Louis Blues, where he filled the role of a reliable role player. In 2017–18 he played 63 games for the Blues and contributed with seven goals and 12 assists. He had a chance to fight for the spot on the roster this time around as well, but Upshall decided to choose Oilers due to his chemistry with former Blues’ center Kyle Brodziak. Brodziak came to Edmonton back in July.
“I had a great chance to go back to St. Louis on a PTO this year, but when I saw Kyle signing with the Oilers, they got onto my radar. The chemistry I had with Kyle didn’t go unnoticed by me,” – said Upshall.
Although he will have to fight for a contract, Upshall isn’t too worried since it is his third time that he is looking to secure a roster spot like this.
“Going to camps without a contract is very, very difficult” – he added. “It is a challenge, but this is my third time. The first time it happened I was coming off a long tenure in Florida. I was kind of in panic mode…with no contract offers you are on edge.”
Scottie Upshall was selected sixth overall in 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. He never got a real opportunity in Nashville, so he was traded to Philadelphia Flyers in 2007.
After two seasons with Flyers, Upshall moved on and went on to play for Phoenix Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Florida Panthers as well. In 759 NHL career games he played, Upshall contributed 285 points, having scored 138 goals and provided 147 assists.
