Ryan McLeod signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $2.1 million.
The 23-year-old forward was a restricted free agent and avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday.
"I think the goal was to come back to Edmonton," McLeod said Wednesday. "I don't think any player wants to go through arbitration, I don't think it's fun for the player or the team, so I'm happy it was done before that and I'm looking forward to the season now. ... I'm looking to have a huge year for this team and I think winning makes everyone happier, so we're just looking to do that."
McLeod had 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 57 regular-season games for the Oilers last season and five assists in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Selected by Edmonton in the second round (No. 40) of the 2018 NHL Draft, he has 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 138 regular-season games and nine points (three goals, six assists) in 32 playoff games.
"I think everyone is super excited for the year, we're all going to head back early and get things rolling," he said. "The group is super motivated. It's obviously not the way we wanted to end the season last year, but the group we had this year, it's mostly the same guys with a few additions, so we're super excited to get the ball rolling and hopefully take a big step this year."
The Oilers lost in the best-of-7 Western Conference Second Round last season to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games after advancing to the conference final in 2021-22, when they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche.
"I think there were a lot of ups and downs (last season) and I think the thing we have to work on in this group is being more consistent and bringing it every night," McLeod said. "I think when we're playing at our best, no one can hang with us, and I think that's a good sign. But I think the consistency needs to be there and going into next season, we're a really motivated group. No one is too happy after last season, winning one round. We have a lot to prove and we're a hungry group coming in."
NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
