It has been an eventful summer for the Oilers as they’ve lost some of their forward depth with Connor Brown, Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson, and Corey Perry all leaving the organization. While they added Andrew Mangiapane in free agency, he’s the only acquisition they’ve had with some level of offensive success in the NHL.
As a result, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period relayed in a recent appearance on Edmonton Sports Talk (video link) that Edmonton is still looking to add some top-six help although he also acknowledged that doing so will be quite difficult.
As a result of their offseason activity (which included a four-year, $42MM contract for defenseman Evan Bouchard), the Oilers only have around $225K of cap space, per PuckPedia. Considering the league minimum salary is $775K, that’s not even enough to add a depth player, let alone an impactful one.
Speculatively, Edmonton’s best bet to add some offensive help might be a one-year, bonus-laden deal which means a player aged 35 or older. Postmedia’s David Staples speculated that winger Max Pacioretty could fit that bill after coming off a similar contract last season with Toronto. While that means a big chunk of the bonuses would likely roll over to 2026-27, it might allow them to add an extra piece for this season to at least give them some extra offensive depth, though not the top-six addition it appears they’re coveting.
Edmonton does have a pathway to open up a bit more flexibility on the cap. With the Oilers adding Curtis Lazar in free agency, there might not be a top-12 spot for spring signee David Tomasek, who inked a one-year, $1.2MM contract back in April. He’s waiver-exempt and $1.15MM of his deal can be cleared with an assignment to the minors. Prospects Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard are also waiver-exempt and while they’re projected to be regulars next season, they can be papered down on off-days to bank a bit of extra room; restrictions on paper transactions from the CBA extension don’t kick in until the 2026-27 campaign.
Moves like that could give the Oilers enough wiggle room to try to make a later-season pickup of a top-six player, providing them a boost for the stretch run. However, that won’t do much of anything to help them at this point of the offseason, making that top-six desire particularly unlikely as things stand. But Edmonton has gotten creative on that front before so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them try to make at least some sort of depth addition in the coming weeks to help replace some of the secondary scoring that they’ve lost this month.
The Oilers need a lot more help than just that. They still don’t have an NHL-caliber goalie.
They need a above average goalie , mcdavid can create top 6 guys on the wings just
Like Crosby did
You may be right, he did that last yr with Arvidsin and J. skinner didn’t he??
Is that why after 2 shifts in most games 29 was back in 97’s wing??
But Corey Perry and Evander Kane thrived with him lol Hyman too
Ol Stan has had a mediocre offseason. Still no goalie upgrade, lost their goons and haven’t added any meaningful players period. 97 is bouncing next summer
Lol. You’re soon going to be upset if you think McDavid is leaving next summer
I dunno man. He was non-committal about his extension, the team has gotten worse and I have serious doubts this roster is going to go to the finals. I’m a diehard oil fan and obviously hope McDavid stays and history does tend to lean towards he’s going to stay but there are always guys who don’t.
Like 99
Edmonton has few assets to get a good top six. Already over the cap; few picks and a lousy farm system.
Savoie could fetch a good rental
But they don’t have the cap space for one.
RNH McDavid Hyman
Howard Draisital Savoie
The Oilers best bet is to hope these kids can play so they can keep Mangiapone on the 3rd line and spend their money in net.
If they’re prioritizing top 6 help over goaltending, they’re doomed again.
Obvious answer is to sign Carter Hart
Is it time to revisit Nail Yakupov?
Can he play goal
He is having a hard time putting up 20 points in the KHL
McDavid to the Flames for Wolf , Andersson , Kadri . Fix the goaltending , fix the defense , save at least $4 mil on the cap , Leon’s your #1C , Kadri #2C , Flames finally get a star and have the $ to do it . Who says no ?
You need to say no to whatever substance you’re abusing that led you to think the Oilers would trade McDavid to CALGARY!