The 2025–26 Edmonton Oilers’ season didn’t really go the way anyone in Oil Country hoped. After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, the team was bounced in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch was let go, and GM Stan Bowman got to work revamping a roster that clearly needed some changes.
Speaking of changes, a number of familiar faces are now wearing different jerseys. Here’s a full breakdown of where every notable former Oiler landed this offseason.
Darnell Nurse, San Jose Sharks
This is easily the headline move of Edmonton’s offseason. Darnell Nurse was traded to the San Jose Sharks on July one in exchange for defenceman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zack Sharp. No salary retention was included, meaning San Jose takes on his full $9.25M cap hit through 2030.
Nurse spent all 12 of his NHL seasons in Edmonton and is second all-time among Oilers defencemen in games played with 798, trailing only Kevin Lowe. He had 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 82 regular season games last year. This was a down year by his standards, and he went pointless in six playoff games. Both sides had reportedly agreed it was time for a change of scenery, and Nurse acknowledged in San Jose that the weight of the Edmonton market had gotten to him.
It’s the end of a major era. Love him or criticize him, Nurse was part of every big Oilers moment over the last decade.
Jack Roslovic, Toronto Maple Leafs
Jack Roslovic had a really solid one-year stint in Edmonton after signing a prove-it deal last fall. He put up 21 goals and 36 points in 69 games, fitting right into the Oilers’ offence. But Toronto came calling on July one with a two-year deal worth $4M per season and Roslovic took the security.
He turns 30 mid-next season, so this was likely his best shot at landing a multi-year contract. The Oilers probably would have liked him back but definitely not at that price given their cap situation.
Stuart Skinner, Winnipeg Jets
Stuart Skinner’s journey this offseason is a bit of a winding road. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins back in December. After the season ended, he hit unrestricted free agency and ended up signing a two-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets at $3.75M per year.
In Winnipeg, Skinner is expected to serve as a backup behind Connor Hellebuyck, a role that sure takes a lot of pressure off compared to what he faced in Edmonton. His time with the Oilers ended on a tough note, but he’s still a capable NHL goaltender who just needed a better situation.
Calvin Pickard, Minnesota Wild
Calvin Pickard was one of four goalies who saw time in net for the Oilers last season, finishing the year with an .871 save percentage and a 3.68 goals-against average.
Those numbers made it clear he wasn’t the long-term answer. He signed a one-year, $1M deal with the Minnesota Wild, where he’ll look to play a depth role and maybe rebuild his stock.
Samuel Poulin, Montreal Canadiens
Samuel Poulin came to Edmonton as part of the Stuart Skinner trade with Pittsburgh earlier in the season but spent the year in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, putting up 12 goals and 29 points in 49 games.
Once he hit free agency, he signed with his hometown Montreal Canadiens on a one-year deal. It is also a homecoming story for the Quebec native.
Cam Dineen, Philadelphia Flyers
Cam Dineen was a depth defenceman who bounced between Edmonton and Bakersfield. He played 40 AHL games with the Condors this past season, putting up three goals and 21 points. The Philadelphia Flyers signed him this offseason as a depth and development piece on their blue line.
James Hamblin, Anaheim Ducks
Hamblin is a name that Oilers fans with a sharp eye for the farm system will recognize. He’s been a consistent AHL scorer with the Condors for years, posting back-to-back 40-point seasons, and he actually appeared in 31 NHL games with Edmonton back in 2023–24. This offseason, for the first time in his professional career, he left the Oilers organization signing with the Anaheim Ducks.
Three former Oilers remain unsigned
Adam Henrique had a tough final season in Edmonton, managing just 15 points in 65 games at age 36 with no points in the team’s one playoff game. At this point in his career, his next deal (if he gets one) is likely a cheap, depth-role contract with a team looking for veteran leadership.
Connor Ingram was arguably Edmonton’s best goalie last season, going 16–10–3 with a 2.60 GAA in 32 starts. He’s the most surprising name still on the market but the UFA goalie pool this summer has been crowded and slow-moving. He won’t stay unsigned for long that’s for sure.
Curtis Lazar rounds out the group. The reliable depth centre and face-off specialist is looking for a new home after his time in Edmonton came to a close.
Photo by Derek Cain/Curtis Comeau
One Comment