Edmonton Oilers make mystery signing that's creating a buzz

Most Oilers fans have never heard the name Eduards Tralmaks, and that's not an accident.

The 29-year-old winger went undrafted, spent four years at the University of Maine, then split time between Providence in the AHL and two seasons overseas in the Czech Extraliga with Rytiri Kladno, the club Jaromir Jagr still owns and occasionally suits up for.

He put up 32 points in his first Czech season, then exploded for 23 goals and 51 points in just 48 games the year after.

Last season he returned to North America and torched the AHL with Detroit's affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, finishing second on the team with 26 goals and 42 points in 64 games, plus four goals in eight playoff games.

Edmonton signed him on July 1, the opening day of free agency, which isn't something GM Stan Bowman typically does for a fringe depth piece.

At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Tralmaks brings size the Oilers have lacked.

His scoring rate ranks above 96 percent of forwards in the Czech league and 93 percent in the AHL, including 98 percent at 5-on-5. He also stood out for Latvia at the Olympics, leading the team with three goals in four games.

Skating remains the question mark, since he lacks a gear in transition, something both Tralmaks and Griffins coach Dan Watson have flagged as an area to improve.

Injuries to Mattias Janmark and Matt Savoie have cracked the door open, and he will battle Mathieu Joseph, Colton Dach, Josh Samanski, Isaac Howard, Quinn Hutson and Trent Frederic for a bottom six spot.

He draws comparisons to David Tomasek, a similarly built scorer who couldn't stick last year, but Tralmaks already has a full North American season under his belt and a real shot to make this Oilers roster.

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