Milan Lucic feels like a kid again.

The newest member of the Edmonton Oilers signed a whopping seven-year, $42-million contract on the first day of free agency and met with the media hours later.

"It's such a refreshing feeling to come into a situation like this," Lucic said. "It's time for this team to have some attitude and swagger. I want to bring that to the lineup."

Twelve teams were courting Lucic, according to The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle. And make no mistake, Lucic chose Edmonton:

Lucic added that he'd been texting Oilers phenom Connor McDavid throughout the day, and said the chance to play with a generational talent like No. 97 doesn't come around often.

"Hopefully (head coach) Todd (McLellan) puts us on a line together," Lucic, who will wear No. 27, said.

"(Lucic) is a terrific, impactful player," general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "He's going to change a lot here just by the way he plays."

It's been a busy week for Chiarelli, who traded fan favorite and offensive dynamo Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson on Wednesday.

"I'm really happy with what we've done," Chiarelli said.