The Edmonton Oilers drafted Skyler Brind'Amour in the sixth round of the 2017 draft, but now he's leaving the organization as a free agent.
According to reports from Tony Androckitis, Brind'Amour will likely be signing an NHL contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Skyler will be coached by his father, legendary coach and former player Rod Brind'Amour.
After the Oilers drafted him, Brind'Amour did not sign with the team and instead pursued a full four years at Quinnipiac University. Last season he signed an AHL deal with the Charlottesville Checkers and scored just 3 goals and 8 points in 54 games.
Now 25 years old and with such little success in the AHL, it's surprising that Carolina would sign Brind'Amour to an NHL contract. Clearly, Carolina believes that getting him to play under his father will unlock more for him, or that his game will translate well to the NHL level.
Rod Brind'Amour is one of the most high-profile coaches in the NHL currently, having been the head coach of the Hurricanes the last six years and leading them to an incredible 278-130-44. He's also a veteran of 1484 NHL games himself. Brind'Amour had a long career where he earned his reputation for being incredibly intense and physically fit, a reputation that's carried over to his coaching. Brind'Amour won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006, the same season he won one of two Selke trophies in his career.
Obviously it hurts anytime an organization wastes a draft pick on a player that decides not to sign with the organization, but it doesn't seem like the Oilers will be missing out much on Skyler Brind'Amour. If anything, it seems like the father and son pair were were really pushing to be together. It'll be an interesting storyline to track Skyler throughout the season, and see if Rod really can get the best out of his boy.
