The Edmonton Oilers are slated to enter the 2026-27 NHL regular season with roughly $4.725 million in salary cap space.
This space would allow them to add a player to help provide secondary scoring from the free agent market. As we near the start of the season, there are still a number of forwards that fit that billing that the Oilers could sign to add to their top-nine forward core.
They could do something similar to what they did last season when they signed Jack Roslovic right at the start of the season. Roslovic would go on to play 69 games for the Oilers, scoring 21 goals and 15 assists for 36 points. He was a successful signing, especially at his low salary of $1.5 million for one season.
If the Oilers are planning to use their cap space on a forward addition, signing one for cheap when the players left on the market are willing to take a heavy discount could be worthwhile.
Free agents the Oilers could add
There are a few surprising names still available on the open market as we near the midway point of August, with the NHL season beginning in just over a month. This presents a unique situation and the longer these players remain unsigned, the higher the likelihood of their price tag dropping.
Vladimir Tarasenko
The 34 year old Russian Vladimir Tarasenko remains unsigned, despite a productive season that saw him amass 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 75 games with the Minnesota Wild. Given Tarasenko's abilities as a goal scoring forward, he could be a great fit for the Oilers who could use an upgrade to their depth scoring.
Depending on the cost to acquire Tarasenko, he could be a worthwhile addition. He has seen the annual average value decline in recent years. He went down from $7 million per season to $5 million in 2023-24, then signed a two-year deal in 2024-25 worth $4.75 million a season. If this trend continues, his ask would fit the Oilers current cap room.
Michael Bunting
30 year old free agent winger Michael Bunting is a player who has shown the ability to play up-and-down an NHL lineup. He can mesh with star players while also being a productive middle-six scorer, playing a style that pushes the line and earns him the label of a 'rat'. His playing history makes him a bit of a wildcard, having just played through his three-year contract worth $4.5 million AAV.
He was a late bloomer, not becoming a full-time NHLer until he was 26 with the Toronto Maple Leafs but has played for six teams in total throughout his NHL career, four of those coming within the past three years. He would fit into the Oilers top-nine well and given his age, small sample, journeyman status, and low career earnings thus far, he could be willing to sign a short term prove-it type deal like Jack Roslovic last season.
Eeli Tolvanen
At 27 years old, Eeli Tolvanen has firmly established himself as a capable middle-six secondary scoring winger who can play with pace and some grit. Over the past three seasons, since becoming a full-time player with the Seattle Kraken, Tolvanen has been able to consistently score 35 or more points and throw roughly 200 or more hits a season. This blend of skill and snarl make him a great fit for a team like the Oilers who have found success with players such as Zach Hyman and Vasily Podkolzin.
Tolvanen is coming fresh off a two-year deal that paid him $3.475 million AAV, a fair value deal for a player who has played primarily in a middle-six setting. If he was willing to take a similar or smaller contract, it could pay off big time. As it did for Roslovic who signed his one-year contract with the Oilers before inking a two-year deal paying him $4 million per season with the Maple Leafs.
Jonathan Drouin
Once a highly touted player, Jonathan Drouin has not lived up to the hype he once had but he has proven himself at times to be a complimentary scoring winger who is capable of scoring at a high level. He set career highs in 2023-24 as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points in 79 games.
In a similar environment with the Oilers, having the chance to play alongside stars such as Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, Drouin could prove to be an impact player in Edmonton. He just had his contract bought out by the New York Islanders and coming off a season where he scored 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 64 games, he does not have a great place to stand in contract negotiations. He may be one of the highest potential players left in free agency all things considered.
The Oilers have multiple options in free agency and given how slow the news cycle has been, it does not seem like it will be an urgent matter for now. Plus, if they continue to wait, they may be able to come away with a potential steal.
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