5 QUESTIONS WITH OILER DENIS GREBESHKOV

The Edmonton Oilers have signed restricted free agent defenceman Denis Grebeshkov to a one-year contract worth $3.15 million.


DENIS GREBESHKOV. LOKOMOTIVE

The signing avoids salary arbitration between the Russian defender and the club.

Last season the 25-year-old scored seven goals and 32 assists for 39 points in 72 games.

Grebeshkov made his way to Edmonton in 2007, via a trade with the New York Islanders in exchange for Marc-Andre Bergeron and a third round selection in 2008.

Originally drafted 18th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Grebeshkov has played in 176 games over four NHL seasons with Los Angeles, New York and Edmonton, talling 10 goals and 53 assists, as well as 80 penalty minutes.



Denis Grebeshkov was born October 11, 1983 in Yaroslavi, Russia. The first round, 18th overall selection of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Grebeshkov honed his skills in the Russian leagues before making his North American and NHL debut in 2003-04.

A three-time member of Russia's World Junior team and a two-time Gold medalist (2002-2003), Grebeshkov spent the better part of his rookie season in North America with the Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester while seeing his first action in the NHL during the second half of the 2003-04 season.

An offensively gifted defenseman, Grebeshkov continued to hone his skills in the AHL while seeing limited action with L.A. before having his rights acquired by the New York Islanders just prior to the NHL trading deadline in 2006. Grebeshkov's stint as a Islander was short lived as the club would send him to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Marc-Andre Bergeron and a 3rd round selection in 2008.

Internationally, aside from representing Russia at the three IIHF World Junior Championships, Grebeshkov captured a gold medal at the 2008 World Championships.