The NHL free agency period opens on July 1st, and for the Edmonton Oilers, the sting of another Stanley Cup Finals loss still lingers. With the salary cap tightening its grip, the Oilers front office faces some tough decisions in order to reshape the roster and finally get over the hump next season.
The team has already started making moves, including trading Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks in an effort to clear cap space, but that’s just the beginning.
More changes are needed if Edmonton wants to stay competitive while surrounding Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with the right supporting cast.
To free up the space and ice time necessary for impactful additions, the Oilers must look internally at players who haven’t lived up to expectations or no longer fit the team's long-term vision.
Whether due to declining performance, inconsistent play, or contract concerns, some names on the current roster simply can’t be part of the plan moving forward. Here are five Oilers who should not see the ice in Edmonton again.
Adam Henrique
Adam Henrique has long been known as a reliable third-line center with playoff experience, but his performance in this year’s postseason left much to be desired. Throughout the Stanley Cup Finals, Henrique struggled to keep up with the pace, often looking a step behind on both ends of the ice.
His inability to contribute effectively at such a critical time exposed a weakness in Edmonton’s depth and hurt their chances against a faster, more aggressive opponent.
With the Oilers tight against the salary cap and in need of roster upgrades, Henrique’s $3 million cap hit makes him a likely trade candidate this offseason. Moving on from Henrique not only clears valuable space but could also provide the veteran forward with a fresh start elsewhere — possibly in a system better suited to his current skill set.
For Edmonton, it’s about maximizing every dollar and every roster spot in their continued pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Darnell Nurse
This is one of the toughest decisions the Edmonton Oilers will have to face, and for many, it feels nearly impossible to navigate. The team is under pressure to make meaningful changes to show superstar Connor McDavid that the organization is committed to winning — and that starts with addressing the glaring issues on the blue line.
At the heart of those concerns is Darnell Nurse, whose $9.25 million cap hit has become an anchor on the team’s flexibility. While Nurse brings size and experience, the on-ice results continue to fall short, and the Oilers have exhausted nearly every defensive pairing to try and make it work.
The biggest issue isn’t just his contract — it’s his decision-making under pressure, especially in the defensive zone. Far too often, Nurse’s puck touches result in turnovers, errant clears, or costly icings that put the team right back on its heels.
For a team trying to get over the Stanley Cup hump, those mistakes are magnified. The Oilers must at least explore the possibility of moving Nurse and his hefty deal, even if it requires creativity or a sweetener. Otherwise, Edmonton risks wasting the remaining prime years of McDavid and staying stuck in a cycle of postseason heartbreak.
Stuart Skinner
The debate around Stuart Skinner is understandable — moving on from a young goaltender with upside is always a risk, especially for a team that still bears the scars of trading Devan Dubnyk too early.
Dubnyk eventually blossomed into a Vezina Trophy candidate, and the Oilers don’t want history to repeat itself. However, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to defend Skinner’s performance, particularly in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where his inconsistencies and struggles with puck tracking have been costly.
While flashes of brilliance are there, they’re overshadowed by stretches of unreliability that have derailed the team during critical moments.
Despite having a very cap-friendly contract, Skinner’s lack of playoff poise and continued issues with positioning make it hard for Edmonton to commit to him long term — especially when they’re in win-now mode with Connor McDavid in his prime.
The Oilers cannot afford to wait and hope he figures it out when each postseason is so crucial. It may be time to make the difficult decision to move on, bringing in a more stable and proven presence in net, even if it means giving up on a homegrown talent.
Corey Perry
This isn’t a knock on Corey Perry — in fact, the veteran forward was a valuable presence both on and off the ice for the Edmonton Oilers during their playoff run. His leadership, grit, and experience were on full display, and he delivered in key moments when the team needed it most.
However, the looming shadow of his Stanley Cup Final curse — now 0-for-5 in appearances — has become a strange and undeniable storyline. In a sport steeped in superstition, even the most grounded hockey minds can’t help but wonder if Perry’s misfortune is starting to feel like a bad omen.
If Perry’s contract demands remain modest, perhaps under the $2 million mark, a return could still make sense for Edmonton, especially given his veteran impact. But if the asking price climbs, the Oilers may need to move on.
At this stage in the franchise’s journey, optics and mental edges matter — and fair or not, the narrative surrounding Perry’s Cup Final streak could weigh on a team desperately trying to get over the hump. It might be best for both sides if he finds a fresh start elsewhere, taking the curse — and his leadership — with him.
Calvin Pickard
The playoff savior known as MVPickard gave Oilers fans a feel-good story during an intense postseason run. Calvin Pickard stepped up in a massive way, stepping into Game 3 of the first round against the Kings with Edmonton trailing 0-2.
He went on to win six straight games, stabilizing the crease before suffering a lower-body injury against the Golden Knights. It was an incredible run, but now the Oilers face a critical decision: if they’re serious about acquiring a true No. 1 goaltender this offseason, letting Pickard walk may be a necessary move.
As inspiring as his run was, Pickard’s success was never going to be sustainable over a full playoff grind — and that was exposed by the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Relying on a Skinner-Pickard tandem again next season would be a gamble the Oilers simply cannot afford.
Both have shown flashes but also glaring weaknesses, and Edmonton is past the point of hoping their goaltenders can cover for each other’s inconsistencies. If the Oilers want to hoist the Cup, the net has to be locked down with a proven, elite option — not another roll of the dice.
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