Oilers RFA Hartikainen breaks for KHL

Former Edmonton Oilers centre Teemu Hartikainen, right, controls the puck as Los Angeles Kings' Dustin Penner, left, Trevor Lewis (22) and Matt Greene defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, April 2, 2012, in Los Angeles.

One young Edmonton Oilers prospect new coach Dallas Eakins won’t have a chance to work with when camp opens for the 2013-14 NHL season is forward Teemu Hartikainen.

The Finnish-born 23-year-old signed a two-deal deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League this week, according to multiple reports:

The winger was selected in the sixth round (163rd overall) by the Oilers in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. In 52 big-league games, spread over three seasons, Hartikainen scored six goals and seven assists for the Oilers while gathering 16 penalty minutes.

Hartikainen is set to become a restricted free agent on July 5, when his three-year entry-level deal — which carried a $875,000 cap hit — comes off the books. The Oilers will continue to hold the player’s NHL rights.

Prior to joining Edmonton in 2010-11, Hartikainen played professionally in the Finnish Elite League.

 

 

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