The Oilers have re-signed one of their depth forwards, Kasperi Kapanen, to a one year contract worth $1.3 million. This comes the morning before free agency opens.
The #Letsgooilers are re-signing UFA F Kasperi Kapanen for 1 year $1.3M.
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 30, 2025
13P in 57 GP with EDM
Rep’d by Markus Lehto @wassermanhockey https://t.co/NVDOrUzbHp
As this contract is above the NHL’s maximum buriable amount of $1.15M, Kapanen’s contract will count for $150,000 against the books if he is waived and set to the American Hockey League at any point in the upcoming season. This fact alone certainly seems to indicate that the Oilers may be without one or both of Connor Brown and/or Corey Perry next year.
From waivers to a contract extension
The Oilers acquired Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the St. Louis Blues in November 2024. Afterwards, Kris Knoblauch admitted that he felt “very fortunate” that the team was able to claim him – they had been close to signing him as a free agent earlier in the summer that year.
Knoblauch told the media yesterday that Kapanen was a player the #Oilers were interested in before he hit waivers. Says he feels “very fortunate” they were able to claim him.
— Adhi (@OilerAlert) November 26, 2024
The former Blue seems to have solidified his standing amongst the Oilers’ brass after his solid 2025 playoff run, perhaps in part due to his series winner in overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights to send the Edmonton Oilers to their second consecutive Western Conference Final.
“Cheeks Klapanen” has tantalizing physical attributes – his speed and physical presence made him a solid contributor on the Oilers depth lines, but he has also has enough skill and pedigree to play with talent in spurts. At 28 years old, he’s also on the younger side when compared to some of Edmonton’s other soon-to-be-UFAs. The knock on his game has always been consistency, which is why he has bounced from team to team in his 10-year NHL career.
Has Kasperi Kapanen finally learned to keep his play from dipping on a recurring basis, or will he find himself back on waivers some time next season? Stay tuned to find out.
