Nearly a month into the 2026 NHL free agency period, the Edmonton Oilers have an estimated $4.725 million in cap space. This gives them plenty of room on their payroll to make a move and add to their team.
Looking at the roster, one area of need for the Oilers is their forward group that with the loss of Jack Roslovic, has yet to add a player who can bring an offensive punch. This is an aspect of the club that can be overlooked when they have star players but it is important to properly insulate their stars with players who can help share the offensive load.
There are two players in particular that standout as great complimentary options for the Oilers who could play up-and-down in their top-nine forward group.
Eeli Tolvanen
Surprisingly, 27 year old Finnish winger Eeli Tolvanen who has shown to be a useful middle-six forward is still available on the free agent market. He was picked off waivers by the Seattle Kraken in 2022 after struggling to carve out a consistent role with the team that orginally drafted him, the Nashville Predators.
Since being claimed by the Kraken, he has set career highs in goals (23), assists (25) and points (41). He has been a consistent 35 or more point scorer, consistently playing second line minutes and using his physicality to help make plays.
He is the type of player that could be best utilized playing with star players if he can find good chemistry. He is a player that the Oilers could target to supplement and improve their forward group, placing him on the wing beside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Michael Bunting
Fitting a similar bill to Tolvanen, Michael Bunting is 31 years old and is a player who has shown capable of playing in a complimentary role inside a middle-six. He first broke out with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing alongside star players Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and has had the best seasons of his career with them, recroding 63 and 49 point seasons.
Since his time as a Maple Leaf ended, Bunting recorded 55 points in 2023-24 but has failed to reach the 40 point mark in the past two seasons. He has also found himself to become a journeyman, playing four teams over the past three seasons, playing with the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Dallas Stars.
He is a player that the Oilers could find use for playing alongside one of McDavid or Draisaitl, given his play style as a scoring winger who can get under opponents skin. He can also bring enough offensive abilities and checking ability to fit up and down the Oilers lineup.
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