Fantasy Impact: The Edmonton Oilers have signed Linus Omark to a one-year deal, bringing him back to the NHL after a one-year hiatus.

The Oilers get: a talented, but undersized winger who carries a bit of a reputation for being one dimensional, but the reality is that he’s not as terrible as the reputation would indicate. Omark has a lot of skill and although he only posted 30 points in 65 NHL games, he did that playing minimal minutes with weaker linemates.

His high-octane approach to the game is best suited for a scoring line with a capable center. He’s best known for his dazzling shootout moves:

Last season he led the Swiss League in scoring. He played much of the first half of the campaign with Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg on what was at the time probably the best hockey line in the world (since the NHL was locked out).

Fantasy Players Impacted: I have a hunch that Omark was signed only to be traded. No way he returns to the NHL just to spend time in the AHL. But the Oilers don’t really have the room for him. Phoenix is a big rumor.

The Oilers depth chart, according to my Fantasy Guide:

Omark has no business on the third or fourth line, but neither do any of the other wingers in the top six. A trade is in the works, stay tuned.

Depending on where he ends up, Omark could make a splash with anywhere from 35 points to 55 points. But as long as he’s with the Oilers, I don’t think he hurts any of the wingers except Yakupov and Perron.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Omark

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. To be determined

2. Yakupov

3. Perron

Check out Linus Omark’s fantasy profile here.

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