Oilers Lock In Promising Blueliner Atro Leppänen with One-Year Extension
The Edmonton Oilers are doubling down on a rising defensive talent, signing Atro Leppänen to a one-year, two-way contract extension that keeps him in the organization through the 2026-27 season.
Leppänen, a 27-year-old left-shot defenceman from Finland, has been making waves in Bakersfield with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate. At 6-foot and 183 pounds, he’s not the most physically imposing presence on the ice, but his offensive instincts and puck-moving ability have stood out in a big way. In 28 games this season, he’s racked up 20 points-three goals and 17 assists-leading all Condors defencemen in scoring.
What’s been especially impressive is his consistency. Leppänen has already notched four multi-point games and put together a seven-game point streak earlier in the year, during which he tallied a goal and eight assists. That kind of production from the back end doesn’t go unnoticed, especially in a system that values mobile, playmaking defenders.
Before making the jump to North America, Leppänen was lighting it up in Finland’s top league, Liiga. His final season with Vaasan Sport was nothing short of historic.
Over 60 games, he posted a league-best 63 points (21 goals, 42 assists), setting a new all-time Liiga record for points by a defenceman in a single season. His 42 assists led all blueliners, and his 21 goals were second among defencemen.
He added three more assists in eight playoff games to cap off a record-setting campaign.
Over two Liiga seasons, Leppänen logged 115 games and totaled 91 points-33 goals and 58 assists. That kind of offensive output from the blue line is rare, and it’s clear why the Oilers saw enough upside to bring him into the fold.
This extension gives Edmonton some flexibility. As a two-way deal, the Oilers can continue to evaluate Leppänen’s development in Bakersfield while keeping the door open for a potential NHL call-up if he continues to trend upward. With the modern game placing a premium on puck-moving defencemen who can contribute offensively, Leppänen fits the mold of what teams are looking for from their third-pair or power-play depth.
He’s still got to prove he can translate that production to the NHL level, but the tools are there: vision, patience with the puck, and the ability to jump into the play without sacrificing defensive responsibility. If he keeps progressing, the Oilers might have found themselves a late-blooming gem on the back end.
For now, Edmonton’s decision to extend Leppänen reflects both his strong play in the AHL and the organization's belief in his potential to impact the big club down the line.