Simpson announced the end of his playing career Thursday and will join the University of North Dakota as an assistant coach.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson was taken by Edmonton with the No. 92 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. He logged just three career NHL games, but Simpson spent nine campaigns in the AHL, including 2022-23, during which he recorded a goal and an assist in 29 outings with Cleveland. Prior to his pro career, he played with North Dakota, so joining them as a coach represents a return home for him.

Simpson was placed on waivers by the Blue Jackets on Monday, The Columbus Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

After signing a two-way deal with Columbus in the offseason, Simpson is expected to begin the year with AHL Cleveland, assuming he isn't claimed by another organization. The 25-year-old scored four goals and 18 points in 61 games for AHL Bakersfield last season but has only three NHL games on his resume -- all of them coming with the Oilers in 2016-17.

Simpson signed a two-year, two-way deal with Columbus on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson will play for a team other than the Oilers -- the squad that drafted him in 2011 -- for the first time of his career. The 25-year-old blueliner had 14 goals and 52 assists in four AHL seasons, so he doesn't project to be an immediate contributor with the Blue Jackets. Instead, expect Simpson to start with AHL Cleveland.

The Oilers assigned Simpson to AHL Bakersfield on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Oilers recalled forward Brad Malone from the minors on an emergency basis in a corresponding move, so they must be dealing with several injuries up front ahead of Thursday's game against the Senators. Simpson will return to AHL Bakersfield for the foreseeable future, where he's notched four goals and 17 points in 56 contests this campaign.

Simpson was recalled on an emergency basis from AHL Bakersfield on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The University of North Dakota product is a left-shooting defenseman who's likely being recalled due to the fact that fellow left-handed blueliners Andrej Sekera (undisclosed) and Oscar Klefbom (shoulder) are questionable and out, respectively, for Tuesday's road tilt against the Hurricanes. If Simpson's able to crack the Edmonton lineup, don't expect him to make much of a fantasy impact, as he's recorded just 65 points in 240 professional games.

Simpson was waived by the Oilers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

It's not the best sign for Simpson that he was waived despite how defenseman Andrej Sekera is off the ice with a significant knee injury. However, it's believed that the best has yet to come for the Oilers' 2011 fourth-rounder. For the left-shooting defenseman, it's all about learning to use a 6-foot-2, 197-pound frame effectively. Last year, he added a mere three goals and eight assists over 53 contests with AHL Bakersfield and probably could stand to fill out a bit to be able to withstand the rigors of the NHL in the future.

Simpson signed a one-year contract with Edmonton on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson spent the majority of the 2016-17 season with AHL Bakersfield, where he tallied three goals and eight helpers in 53 outings. The defenseman did get to make his NHL debut last year -- appearing in three games in which he averaged 10:53 of ice time, but was held off the scoresheet. The Oilers have some depth on their blue line which could make it difficult for the 24-year-old to secure regular minutes. Until his role with the team is more clearly defined, fantasy owners in all but the deepest of formats may want to hold off on utilizing Simpson for their lineups.

Simpson was sent down to AHL Bakersfield on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson was held off the scoresheet in his three appearances and will have to wait until his next call-up in order to secure his first NHL point. The defenseman has not added much offensively in the minors either where he has just one goals in 12 outings. Given the abundance of talented youngsters in Edmonton, it seems likely they will allow Simpson more time to develop with the Condors.

Simpson was recalled from AHL Bakersfield on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The Oil placed Darnell Nurse (lower body) on injured reserve, necessitating the call-up for Simpson, who's still waiting to make his NHL debut. He's a left-shooting rearguard and has proven capable of setting up scores at hockey's lower levels, but it's been a bit of a trying campaign for the Edmonton native as he'd brushed twine only once in 12 games with Bakersfield ahead of the call-up.

Simpson was sent down to the minors Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson's reassignment could mean that either Kris Russell (undisclosed) or Brandon Davidson (undisclosed) is nearing a return to game action. Simpson has been a healthy scratch since being called up Nov. 5 and will not return to the AHL where he has one goal in seven outings.