Former Oilers F Ty Rattie leaves NHL for KHL

After his first season playing more than half the year in the NHL, Ty Rattie is saying farewell to North America. The free agent forward has signed a one-year deal with Lokomotiv in the KHL, according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express, reuniting him with former Edmonton Oilers executive Craig MacTavish, who is now the head coach there. Rattie was not issued a qualifying offer by the Oilers last month, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Rattie, 26, played 50 games last season for the Oilers but recorded just 11 points, never establishing himself as a real offensive presence despite plenty of opportunity. Originally selected 32ndoverall in 2011, he bounced up and down in the St. Louis Blues organization for years before a short stint in Carolina and the last two seasons with Edmonton. In 99 career NHL games he has 30 points but can’t seem to carve out a good number of minutes anywhere he goes.

A two-time 100-point player in the WHL, Rattie has found plenty of success in the AHL as well. He’ll head overseas to a team with a familiar face behind the bench to try and prove he can contribute with a bigger role, but it’s going to be tough to convince NHL front offices of his worth at this point.