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Petr Sykora – Forward, Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers hope Petr Sykora provides the team with more than just an additional veteran scoring option. The team is also looking for the 29-year-old forward to give the team's power play a boost by occasionally acting as the point man.
The Oilers are short a power-play quarterback after losing a trio of defenceman during the off-season. Chris Pronger (traded to Anaheim Ducks), Dick Tarnstrom (playing in Europe) and Jaroslav Spacek (signed with Buffalo Sabres) are gone, leaving Edmonton to overhaul its man-advantage approach.
"And that's why we signed Sykora, because he can help our power play on the point," Oilers assistant general manger Scott Howson told the Edmonton Journal.
Sykora has impressed coach Craig MacTavish early in training camp, playing on a unit with Raffi Torres and Ales Hemsky.
“Petr distributes the puck and holds on at the right time. And he's a great shooter," MacTavish told the Journal.
"Hopefully, he'll mesh well with Hemsky and Raffi through camp."
Sykora, 29, brings 10 seasons of NHL experience to Edmonton. He tallied 23 goals and 51 points over 74 games last season split with the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers.