Roby Jarventie wanted to re-sign with Oilers, inked overseas deal as backup

It wasn’t a surprise that Jarventie had considered options beyond the Oilers organization. When he was acquired by the team a year ago from the Ottawa Senators for failed first-round pick Xavier Bourgault and another prospect in Jake Chiasson, Jarventie had been recovering from a knee injury suffered the year prior that limited him to 22 AHL games.

He didn’t draw into the lineup until November, playing two games early in the month and looking good doing so, before he was injured again, missing the rest of the season.

Because of that Jarventie remains a relative unknown. Oilersnation prospect analyst Bruce Curlock ranked the winger as the third-best prospect in the Oilers system last summer, writing he felt he could be a bottom-six option for the team, with his offensive prowess a calling card.

One caveat that could impact where he plays this upcoming season is that Jarventie, now with four seasons of professional hockey under his belt, is waiver eligible this fall. If he doesn’t make the NHL roster out of camp, they would risk losing him on waivers if they try to get him to the American Hockey League.

Make no mistake, there’s still a player here.

Drafted by the Senators 33rd overall in the 2020 draft, Jarventie appeared in seven NHL games for them, scoring one assist, while drawing in for 136 games with their AHL affiliate Belleville Senators, scoring 38 goals, 48 points and 86 points. And in 2023-24, prior to suffering his knee injury, he had nine goals and 20 points in 22 games played.

Could the Oilers signing him to the one-year deal, knowing they could lose him on waivers, mean they feel Jarventie could break the NHL roster next season? Time will tell, but it will undoubtedly be a story to follow heading into training camp next fall.