The Edmonton Oilers have locked up defenceman Tom Gilbert and forward Robert Nilsson to multi-year deals.
Gilbert's new pact will pay him $24 million over six years, while Nilsson signed a three-year, $5.5 million contract.
Gilbert will earn $3.5 million next season with a $1.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in 2009-2010, $5.5 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus in 2010-2011, $5 million in 2011-2012, $3.5 million in 2012-2013, and $3 million in 2013-2014 for a salary cap average of $4 million a season.
Nilsson will earn $1.5 million next season and $2 million in each remaining season.
By signing the deals, both players avoided becoming restricted free agents in July.
Gilbert, 25, had a solid campaign for the Oilers in 2007-08 with 13 goals and 20 assists over his 82 games.
Gilbert was acquired by the Oilers in a 2004 deal with the Colorado Avalanche. He was drafted by the Avalanche in the fourth round (129th overall) in 2002. Nilsson, 23, was part of the trade that send Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanfers last season. He scored 10 goals and 41 points with Edmonton in 2007-08.
