The Edmonton Oilers had an excellent first day of NHL Free Agency, acquiring Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner up front to complement their already strong forward group. They also re-signed a number of players including Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, and Adam Henrique. This bodes well for their ability to compete for the cup again next season.
However, the Oilers—like every team in the league—cannot keep everyone while adding new faces, and a number of former Oilers signed with new teams. Let’s take a look at who went where.
Jack Campbell
Fresh off of being bought out by the Oilers, Jack Campbell signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings for $775K. The Oilers will continue to pay him until the end of the 2029–30 season, and he will earn $1.1 million from them this coming season.
Warren Foegele
After an incredible playoff run, the Oilers weren’t able to retain Warren Foegele’s services, and the winger signed with the Los Angeles Kings. Under contract for the next three years, the Kings will pay him $3.5 million per season.
Sam Carrick
Acquired at the Trade Deadline from Anaheim, the Oilers did not keep Sam Carrick, and he signed a three-year deal with the New York Rangers. This contract pays him a clean $1 million per season.
Vincent Desharnais
Initially expected to remain with the Oilers, Vincent Desharnais moved west and signed with the Vancouver Canucks on a two-year deal. This pays him $2 million per season.
Laurent Brossoit
The former Oilers netminder spent last season with the Winnipeg Jets, where he recorded a 0.927 save percentage in 23 games. Laurent Brossoit now joins the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year deal that pays him $3.3 million per season.
William Lagesson
Once a shining star in the Oilers’ prospect pool, Lagesson spent last season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks. He will join Campbell in Detroit on a $775K one-year deal.
Cam Talbot
Now 36 years old, Cam Talbot has been around for seemingly forever. He will be in Detroit this season, sharing the net with Campbell on a two-year deal that will pay him $2.5 million per year.
Patrick Maroon
The former Oilers big man is now 36 years old but has some hockey left in him. Patrick Maroon will join the Chicago Blackhawks for next season on a one-year deal that will pay him $1.3 million.
Devin Shore
The former Oilers forward was in the Seattle Kraken organization last year, splitting time between the AHL and NHL. He now joins the Minnesota Wild on a one-year two-way deal.
What’s next for the Oilers?
Edmonton is currently above the salary cap for next season by nearly $2.5 million. There is a good deal of work that needs to be done between now and puck drop in October to get the team under the cap and fully ready for the next season.
The one big question mark in all of this is Evander Kane, who feels like the odd man out with the new signings. While he has a full no-movement clause, will he want to stay in Edmonton knowing that he won’t get the minutes that he wants next season and beyond? There is a very good chance he’s traded before the start of next season.
There are also a few players who need contracts for next season, including Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, which won’t be complicated deals to sign but will put them even further above the salary cap.
All this to say nothing of a potential extension for Leon Draisaitl and the hiring of a new general manager before puck drop in October.
The summer is just beginning in Edmonton. Expect a good deal more moves from the Oilers before the year is done.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
