Pouliot on decision to sign with Oilers: 'Some teams have money, some don't'

Benoit Pouliot signed a four-year, $20-million contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, and quite succinctly explained his decision to make the trek from the Big Apple up to Alberta: "I really enjoyed New York, but when it comes down to free-agency, some teams have money, some don’t,” he told the Edmonton Journal.

Pouliot added he heard from Rangers general manager Glen Sather (formerly with the Oilers) after the decision was made. “Glen called, left a message and said ‘good luck, you’ll enjoy it.’ He said it was a good place to be. Coming from Glen, that was big. He’s a great man and treated me very well,” he said.

The 27-year-old proved to be a very effective third line player for the Rangers in 2013-14, registering 15 goals, 21 assists and an impressive 55.1 Corsi For rating in 80 regular season games. During the team's run to the Stanley Cup Final, he contributed five goals and five assists, and the fourth overall pick in 2005 appears to have accepted his lot in life as a bottom-six forward.

“I consider myself a top-nine forward now. The past three years have been really positive. My game is better," Pouliot said. "In Tampa and in Boston before New York, I was third line, second line. Different roles on the second and third lines, maybe, but you get used to it and you do the job.”

Pouliot will be earning a healthy paycheck for a player in that role, but says he's ready for the pressure that may come from playing in Canada. 

“I did play in Montreal for two years," he said. "Loved it. Loved the pressure."

OK, then.