One pending free agent the Oilers can steal from their Pacific Division rivals

Justin Bailey, Forward/San Jose Sharks

The Sharks weren’t going to have an excellent selection of players who could give the Oilers a lot of help, so organizational depth is key here. Justin Bailey fits the mold well, as he’s spent the last several years of his career floating between the AHL and the NHL, including a 58-game stint with the Bakersfield Condors last season. 

While Bailey never saw regular season action in an Oilers uniform, he put up some solid numbers with Bakersfield in 2022-23, scoring 19 goals and 32 points before signing with the Sharks this season. Through April 4th, he’s spent 54 games in San Jose, logging 14 points and five goals, and he’s been a physical presence on the lower lines. 

Someone like Bailey provides value as insurance in the AHL or as a 13th or 14th forward who could rotate into games occasionally, mainly when Edmonton needs someone capable of playing a physical game. The hard-hitting mentality wasn’t there in his previous stops, but Bailey is totaling over one hit per game - 73 in those 54 contests. 

Like Trevor Lewis, Bailey is nothing more than a fourth-liner, but he’s familiar with the organization, and that adds even more value despite his lack of ice time in Edmonton.