Yamamoto appeared in nine games with the Oilers, recording three assists. As he played fewer than 10 games, the first year of his entry-level deal will slide to 2018-19.
Yamamoto impressed at Oilers' training camp, as he earned playing time alongside captain Connor McDavid and a roster spot ahead of 2016 fourth overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi.
Yamamoto scored 99 points in 65 games with Spokane last season.
The winner of the 2018 draft lottery will earn the right to add a franchise talent - and right now, that talent is projected to be blue-liner Rasmus Dahlin.
The Swede got top billing in the top 31 draft rankings that ISS Hockey issued for November. Here's a look at all five players currently atop the 2018 class.
Rasmus Dahlin
Position
Team (League)
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
D
Frolunda (SHL)
15
3
4
7
6
2
Turning heads since he was 16 years old, Dahlin is the undisputed selection to lead off the 2018 draft. The 6-foot-2 defender plays in all situations and is already making his mark in the ultra-competitive Swedish League as a teenager.
"He defends like (Nicklas) Lidstrom. He skates like (Erik) Karlsson," TSN's Ray Ferraro told Viasat. "His potential is limitless."
North American hockey fans got their first look at Dahlin in last year's World Junior Championship, where he picked up a goal and an assist across seven games. He's an exceptionally dynamic talent who could quickly become a franchise's most valuable player.
Andrei Svechnikov
Position
Team (League)
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
RW
Barrie (OHL)
10
10
4
14
10
6
A natural goal-scorer, the hulking Russian winger (and the brother of Detroit Red Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov) led the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks with 29 goals and 58 points in 48 games in 2016-17. He's now skating in his second season in North America with the OHL's Barrie Colts.
However, scouts won't have an opportunity to get another look at him until at least December as he recovers from a broken hand. He was tied for second in league scoring at the time of the injury.
Brady Tkachuk
Position
Team (League)
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
C
BU (NCAA)
9
0
5
5
12
5
The bloodline picks could continue at No. 3, as the son of Keith and the brother of Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk is another projected top selection.
In fact, Brady could have followed in Matthew's footsteps by lacing up for the OHL's London Knights, but he later committed to Boston University. The NCAA club has developed a handful of upper-echelon talents in recent years, including Charlie McAvoy, Clayton Keller, and Jack Eichel.
The 18-year-old Tkachuk missed last year's draft cutoff date by one day, but that offers him more time to build his game. With his gritty style, he has the makings of a budding power forward.
The dynamic Zadina's had little trouble adjusting to the North American game after spending the past two seasons in the Czech League. The junior rookie has taken the Quebec League by storm and holds a seven-point lead on the second-highest scoring freshman.
Zadina's ability to create high-level offense will make his selection a priority as scouts prepare for the 2018 draft.
Oliver Wahlstrom
Position
Team (League)
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
C
NTDP (USHL)
3
4
3
7
2
4
Rising star Wahlstrom could ultimately be the top center available in this year's class. A powerful skater with an impressive ability to carry the puck, Wahlstrom is built to play the possession-based game the NHL has moved toward.
The Massachusetts native also holds Swedish citizenship, but attended Team USA's world junior summer showcase and is a good bet to make the final cut come December. The National Team Development Program skater is committed to Harvard for 2018-19.
The 2018 NHL Draft will be held June 22-23 in Dallas.
Shane Doan turned down one last shot at winning it all.
The former Arizona Coyotes captain, who announced his retirement in August following a 21-year career, considered an invite from Team Canada for the 2018 Winters Olympics before ultimately declining the opportunity.
"If you're going to play in (the Olympics), you really need to be dialed in and really capable of doing your best," Doan told Sportsnet 650's "On Point."
"I didn't know if I'd be able to do that. I didn't know if I had the desire to move away and go play somewhere else for a little bit in order to stay ready."
Team Canada general manager Sean Burke, who played alongside Doan with the Coyotes from 1999-2004, initially reached out to Doan in August.
Doan scored 27 points in 74 games with Arizona last season. The 41-year-old accepted a position with the NHL's hockey operations department last month.
A move to new surroundings can often be the perfect remedy.
That's certainly been the case with several struggling players in the past. Just ask Joe Thornton, who won the NHL MVP with the San Jose Sharks after spending his first seven seasons with the Boston Bruins.
With a refresh in mind, here are seven players who could benefit from a similar change of scenery:
Sam Bennett
No player may be more in need of a shake up than Bennett, who has failed to find the scoresheet through 13 games this season. No doubt a disappointment, it's safe to say the Flames had high hopes for the 2014 fourth overall pick, who was drafted ahead of the likes of William Nylander and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Bennett tallied 36 points in his rookie campaign two years ago, but declined to just 26 points last season, despite averaging nearly identical ice time. To follow it up, Bennett and the Flames slogged through a difficult contract negotiation last offseason. Calgary ultimately bet on a two-year deal, but the likes of it paying off appear to be slim.
Mikkel Boedker
Boedker agreed to a four-year deal with the Sharks in 2016, but things have not gone swimmingly since his arrival in San Jose.
Sharks bench boss Peter DeBoer - who coached Boedker in junior - is tasked with helping the Danish winger find some consistency, and has moved him throughout the lineup in search of his scoring touch. Playing alongside Joonas Donskoi and Chris Tierney on the team's third line, Boedker picked up two points in his last game after tallying just one point in his previous six outings. If the Sharks would rather move on from Boedker, it'd be difficult to do so, given he's signed for $4 million through 2019-20.
Anthony Duclair
A frequent scratch by former coach Dave Tippett, it's been more of the same for Duclair with new bench boss Rick Tocchet. Despite chipping in three goals this season - only Coyotes rookie Clayton Keller has scored more - Duclair has been scratched for two of the past three games.
Duclair returned to the lineup for Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, a contest in which he skated on the team's fourth line and finished last among forwards with just 10:49 in ice time. Originally acquired from the New York Rangers in 2015, Duclair could be a worthwhile trade chip to help right the last-place Coyotes.
Alex Galchenyuk
Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin sees forward Galchenyuk as a winger, a stance that coach Claude Julien agrees with, judging by his lineup. The point of confusion comes into play with where Galchenyuk has been slotted.
Skating on the team's fourth line, Galchenyuk has scored in three of the last five games, but has not been rewarded with a boost in the lineup. A third overall pick by the Canadiens in 2012, the hope was Galchenyuk would soon be the team's top center, a duty since filled by new recruit Jonathan Drouin. This offseason, the Canadiens committed to a two-year extension with Galchenyuk, but it may only be a matter of time before they move on.
Josh Leivo
The Toronto Maple Leafs winger is productive. The only problem is finding a regular roster spot. Depth at forward has seen Leivo scratched more often than not this season, as the 24-year-old sat out Toronto's first 10 games before drawing into the lineup for two of the past four contests. Leivo picked up a point in the process, but as of the team's last game, he was back to a familiar spot on the sidelines.
Leivo showed off his offensive chops last season when he picked up 10 points in 13 games, and that could pique the interest of rival GMs should the Maple Leafs wish to deal from an area of strength to shore up their defensive depth.
Sam Reinhart
The Buffalo Sabres center has made little progress over his first two seasons, and appears to be taking a step back in the early goings of this campaign as he's picked up just five points through 13 games.
While only three years removed from his draft class, it appears the Sabres made a devastating miss when they selected Reinhart one spot ahead of Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl. Reinhart is now in the final year of his entry-level contract, and first-year Sabres GM Jason Botterill has opted for a wait-and-see approach before locking in a big-ticket extension. Otherwise, he could elect to deal Reinhart to improve his roster elsewhere.
Jacob Trouba
Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets went through an ugly contract dispute in the lead-up to last season, so much so that the American-born blue-liner sat out the first 15 games. He eventually agreed to a two-year deal, a contract that expires at the end of 2017-18.
While Trouba will again be a restricted free agent - meaning the Jets still have more say in how his future plays out - the team could look to move on from a player who previously demanded a trade. Furthering those efforts could be Trouba's inability to live up to his offensive potential. With just four points through 12 games this season, his scoring game appears to have plateaued.
It appears Vadim Shipachyov will need to pay the piper to get out of Sin City.
The Vegas Golden Knights forward, who was suspended by the club Sunday after failing to report to the AHL, is reportedly aiming to return to the KHL, where he had played since 2008.
It appears Vadim Shipachyov will need to pay the piper to get out of Sin City.
The Vegas Golden Knights forward, who was suspended by the club Sunday after failing to report to the AHL, is reportedly aiming to return to the KHL, where he had played since 2008.
That means Maxime Lagace, who spent last season with the Dallas Stars' farm club, and Dylan Ferguson are the Golden Knights' go-to goalies. Ferguson, 19, was drafted last summer and is on emergency recall from the WHL's Kamloops Blazers.
With the team's goaltending depth pushed to its limit, here are five trade options worthy of GM George McPhee's consideration:
Curtis McElhinney
The Golden Knights and Maple Leafs linked up once already in the deal that sent netminder Calvin Pickard to Toronto, and the teams could be prime partners only a few weeks later.
It's no secret the Maple Leafs want Pickard with the big club, but he's slotted with the AHL's Marlies until they can clear a roster spot. That means finding a new home for McElhinney. The 34-year-old has appeared in just one game this season, allowing three goals but coming away with the win.
Louis Domingue
Domingue cleared waivers Monday, and while there were no takers for the Arizona Coyotes netminder, a deal could come to fruition if the team takes back a contract for the struggling goaltender.
Interestingly enough, Golden Knights blue-liner Griffin Reinhart passed through waivers the same day as Domingue, and could be the right match in a trade. Carrying an $800,000 cap hit, he's signed to a more affordable deal than Domingue, although he carries an additional year. Domingue, 25, was waived after going winless in seven games - a stretch which saw him post a dreadful .856 save percentage.
Michael Hutchinson
Like Domingue, Hutchinson cleared waivers earlier this season. The move was the result of the Winnipeg Jets bringing in Steve Mason to pair with Connor Hellebuyck, and Hutchinson's poor performance last year.
Hutchinson has appeared in four games with the AHL's Manitoba Moose, and has come up with two wins and a respectable .918 save rate. The 27-year-old is also on an expiring contract that carries a reasonable $1.15-million cap hit.
Andrew Hammond
Could Sin City be the place where Hammond rediscovers his magic? The 29-year-old was a revelation three seasons ago with the Senators, as he put together an outstanding 20-1-2 record and allowed just 42 goals to drag Ottawa into the playoffs.
But the good times didn't last, as Hammond now suits up for the Senators' AHL club. At a manageable $1.35-million ticket, he could be a worthwhile gamble for the Golden Knights.
Reto Berra
Berra, 30, spent last season with the Florida Panthers' organization, but was prepared to return to Switzerland before the Anaheim Ducks came calling.
With Ryan Miller on the shelf, a backup spot opened in Anaheim, and Berra appeared in two games. But with Miller now healthy, and the AHL's San Diego Gulls seemingly set with Leland Irving and Kevin Boyle, the Ducks could make Berra available.
Honorable mentions
Jeff Zatkoff
Called upon last season to fill in for an injured Jonathan Quick - and later losing the gig to Peter Budaj - the Los Angeles Kings' Zatkoff could be an option. The 30-year-old has yet to play this season and appears to be an extra body behind Jack Campbell and Cal Petersen with the AHL's Ontario Reign.
Anders Lindback
Lindback signed with the Nashville Predators - the team that drafted him in 2008 - this offseason after splitting last year between the AHL and Sweden. As the third goalie on Nashville's depth chart, he has posted a 5-1-0 record and .909 save percentage in the AHL. The veteran could come at an affordable price.
Affordable young talent is the lifeblood of a salary-cap league. And ensuring their proper development is critical in converting these assets into NHL talent.
As the season's 10-game mark approaches, so too does a key date for general managers: whether their freshmen talent sticks in the big league or if more seasoning in the minors is required.
Here is how the remaining big decisions could shake out:
Here to stay
Mathew Barzal, 16th pick in 2015
The New York Islanders made headlines with their recent demotion of forward Josh Ho-Sang, but fans shouldn't expect a similar announcement about Barzal.
After a brief stint with the team last year before being returned to the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, Barzal appears to be sticking around for good this time. In nine games with the Islanders, Barzal has put together three points and has averaged more than 15 minutes a game in a top-six role.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, 3rd pick in 2016
A surprise pick to stick given his stat line, Dubois was given the good news on Thursday when GM Jarmo Kekalainen informed him he will be spending a little more time with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
That was the lone option for Dubois to play pro this season, as the 19-year-old product of the CHL is not eligible for the minors and could only return to the QMJHL's Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. With the Blue Jackets, Dubois has posted one goal in nine games, while averaging 12:26 in ice time.
Tyson Jost, 10th pick in 2016
Fans of the Colorado Avalanche got an early showing of Jost last season, when the University of North Dakota product played in the final six games of the season, including a game against the Minnesota Wild which saw Jost notch his first NHL goal.
One year later, and through another six games, Jost has picked up two points. An NHL talent who will grow into a bigger role over time, Jost is a key part of the future in Denver, alongside fellow youngsters Mikko Rantanen, Alexander Kerfoot, and 2017 first-rounder Cale Makar.
Luke Kunin, 15th pick in 2016
A late cut in training camp, Kunin got a second audition with the Wild after the team ran into injury concerns earlier this month. So far, he has made the most of it, as he's tallied two assists in four contests.
After netting 38 points in 35 games with the University of Wisconsin last season, Kunin finished the year in the AHL, where he came up with eight points in 12 games. He is already producing as a pro, and his current trial with the Wild should help him secure a full-time roster spot.
See you soon
Gabriel Carlsson, 29th pick in 2015
It's been difficult for the Blue Jackets to get an accurate read on Carlsson, as the young defenseman has been out with an injury for the past five games.
Still, when Carlsson has been in the lineup, he has yet to show his NHL readiness, as he's recorded just one point. Carlsson's ice-time has declined over four contests, falling to less than 10 minutes in his last appearance. The 20-year-old spent last year in Sweden and could benefit from time in the AHL.
Owen Tippett, 10th pick in 2017
Although he was praised by coach Bob Boughner after his NHL debut earlier this month - a contest in which he finished with a team-leading seven shots - Tippett has been a frequent healthy scratch by the Florida Panthers.
That makes him a prime candidate to return to junior, where he can continue to hone his game with the OHL's Mississauga Steelheads. Tippett tallied 44 goals and 31 assists in 60 games in junior last season.
Kailer Yamamoto, 22nd pick in 2017
The Edmonton Oilers face a difficult decision when it comes to the immediate future of Yamamoto.
On a skilled Oilers squad that has struggled to score this season, Yamamoto has been a bright spot, as he helped create three goals through seven games. But banking on the 19-year-old to keep up the offense may be too much too soon. In the meantime, Edmonton has other scoring threats it can turn to while Yamamoto further develops in junior.
More than a few coaches turned to their backup goaltender in a jam-packed night on the NHL calendar.
Eight second-stringers got the call Saturday night and came away with varying degrees of success. Here's our assessment of their performances, from the most alarming to the most promising.
Time to panic
Antti Niemi
The Pittsburgh Penguins netminder struggled in two earlier appearances this season, lasting just nine minutes in his first contest and then allowing five goals to the Tampa Bay Lightning in his second start a week later.
Niemi didn't fare any better in a rematch against the Lightning on Saturday. He gave up seven goals, including four on the first 14 shots. Through three games as a Penguin, it looks like more of the same from Niemi, who was bought out by the Dallas Stars in the offseason after he posted a dreadful .892 save percentage a year ago.
Louis Domingue
Following a leg injury to newcomer Antti Raanta, the Coyotes have been forced to throw Domingue into the deep end, with ugly results.
The Arizona netminder has struggled, leaving the Coyotes - winless through eight games - calling on 21-year-old AHL farmhand Adin Hill. Domingue's allowed 19 goals in five contests (three starts), including Saturday's loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Cause for concern
Anton Khudobin
With starter Tuukka Rask shelved with a concussion, Khudobin is the go-to goalie in Boston for the immediate future.
The early returns came up in favor of the Bruins, as he turned aside 26 shots while backstopping Boston to a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. But the next game wasn't as impressive - he and the Bruins surrendered a 4-1 lead over the Buffalo Sabres before losing in overtime.
Philipp Grubauer
The Capitals have an intriguing up-and-coming goaltender in Grubauer, but the 25-year-old has failed to find a win in the early season.
Through three contests - including Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers - Grubauer's earned a .848 save percentage, a stark contrast to the .926 he posted a year ago. He needs to improve in order for the Capitals to comfortably grant Braden Holtby the occasional night off.
Time will tell
Alex Stalock
Stalock signed with the Wild after a five-year run in San Jose, but hasn't seen much action at the big-league level. He's appeared in just four NHL games over the past two seasons, and spent much of last season in the minors.
He needs a larger body of work with Minnesota for the team and its fans to accurately evaluate him. The 30-year-old appeared in a career-high 24 games with the Sharks in 2013-14 and came away with 12 wins and a .932 save percentage.
Malcolm Subban
The Golden Knights saw something in Subban when they claimed the budding netminder on waivers from the Bruins. After he arrived in Las Vegas, the team quickly made room for him by shipping former backup Calvin Pickard to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Subban struggled when called upon by the Bruins, but the 23-year-old got the last laugh with his new club. He picked up his first win as a Golden Knight - and first NHL win overall - with a 3-1 victory over Boston. Subban added his second career win two nights later against the Sabres.
One bad night
Juuse Saros
Every goalie is due for a bad game eventually, and unfortunately for Saros, it was his turn Saturday. The Nashville Predators netminder allowed three goals on 14 shots in a loss to the New York Rangers.
After two games, the 22-year-old remains in search of his first win on the season. But the victories should soon follow - the Predators see plenty of potential in him, and that's easy to understand considering the Finnish goaltender posted a winning record alongside a .923 save percentage last season. It won't be long before he's entrusted with more games as Nashville puts a succession plan in place for starter Pekka Rinne.
Aaron Dell
Calling on Dell is typically a safe bet for the Sharks, but that wasn't the case Saturday, as they were sunk by the New York Islanders. Dell allowed four goals on 22 shots and was handed his second loss of the season.
He appeared in 20 games with the Sharks in 2016-17, his first NHL campaign after spending the previous four seasons in the minors, and posted an 11-6-1 record that's now earned him an extended look as the Sharks' second-stringer.
The two rivals, linked since sharing the same rookie campaign in 2005-06, will face off for the first time this season Wednesday at Washington's newly renamed Capital One Arena.
Each superstar has taken home a mantle full of personal accolades. What really separates them is team accomplishments; there, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain has steadily outpaced Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
Here's where the matchup stands heading into Wednesday's contest, their 42nd encounter during the regular season.
Goals
It's no surprise that Ovechkin, one of the best pure shooters in decades, leads Crosby here. His 565 career goals are 182 more than Crosby's netted, and put him just outside the top 20 in NHL all-time scoring.
Even when compared on a per-game basis - Ovechkin has played 139 more games than Crosby - the Capitals captain still comes out ahead, besting Crosby 0.61 to 0.49 goals per game.
Head to head, Ovechkin again takes top honors. In their 41 regular-season meetings, Ovechkin has heavily outscored Crosby, coming up with 29 tallies to Crosby's 20.
Assists
Much as Ovechkin is the goal-scorer, Crosby is the setup man. He's managed 649 career helpers, nearly 200 ahead of Ovechkin. Crosby's assist total ranks 63rd all time, and he could climb inside the top 50 with a strong 2017-18 season.
On a per-game basis, Crosby is well in front of Ovechkin in this department at 0.83 assists, compared to his fellow superstar's 0.52.
The regular-season matchup isn't remotely close: Crosby has tallied 40 assists, more than double Ovechkin's 18.
Points
Their current head-to-head tally in points is 60 to 57, with the Penguins captain getting the nod. The two players have been nearly evenly matched when facing each other during the regular season, with both producing well above a point per game, but in the end, the slim margin of victory goes to Crosby.
The career numbers are tight as well, with Ovechkin just 10 total points ahead of Crosby. The comparison becomes much more wide-open when reviewing points per game, however - Crosby mightily outpaces Ovechkin, 1.31 to 1.13.
Awards
Ovechkin takes the lead in personal accolades. He's got six goal-scoring titles, an Art Ross Trophy as the league's top point producer, three Hart Trophies as the NHL MVP, and even a Calder Trophy from the season he topped Crosby as the league's most outstanding rookie.
But Crosby's collected some hardware of his own. The Penguins center is a two-time Art Ross winner and has two Hart Trophies, plus some other major plaudits - including the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, an award Crosby's won in each of the past two postseasons.
Playoffs
Where it matters most, Crosby has prevailed: The Penguins have erased the Capitals three times in the postseason during the Crosby and Ovechkin era.
That count includes last spring, when the defending Stanley Cup champions eliminated the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners in their second straight playoff meetup. Both years ended with Crosby hoisting the Stanley Cup - his second and third titles after winning his first NHL championship in 2009.
