EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers are clearing cap space by trading forwards Kailer Yamamoto and Klim Kostin to the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations on Thursday.
Yamamoto, 24, had 10 goals and 15 assists in 58 games last season, his sixth in Edmonton.
In 2021-22, 5-foot-8, 153-pound Yamamoto hit career highs of 20 goals and 41 points.
The 2017 Oilers first-round draft pick has one year remaining on his contract at $3.1 million.
Kostin, also 24, is a restricted free agent. He had 11 goals and 10 assists in 57 games with the Oilers after joining the club from the St. Louis Blues via trade in October.
Edmonton general manager Ken Holland said the Russian winger's asking price was too high.
"I talked to Klim Kostin's agent multiple times. Really was negotiating against the KHL. I knew we weren't going to be able to find a way to keep him, so obviously had to trade a player. (Detroit GM) Steve Yzerman was really interested in Klim Kostin," said Holland. "And, obviously, $3 million for Yamo, I had to get some money off the cap."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2023.
The Canadian Press
