The Oilers have already made moves this summer, but that doesn’t mean the door is shut on a bigger swing. Stan Bowman said Edmonton will hang onto the cap space it has left, yet that kind of flexibility only matters if the right deal actually shows up. And if it does, the Oilers would have to be willing to toss the original plan aside.
One obvious dream target is Connor Hellebuyck. If Winnipeg ever gets to the point where it’s actually moving the goaltender - and if Hellebuyck is open to more than a landing spot like the Buffalo Sabres - Edmonton should be aggressive.
The Oilers have added two netminders to create a three-goalie setup, but Frederik Andersen, Tristan Jarry, or Devon Levi could all be part of the conversation if a trade becomes possible. Hellebuyck, though, is the kind of addition that changes the whole outlook.
He would wipe out the goaltending questions that have followed Edmonton for several seasons and push the team from “maybe gets back there” to a clear “yep, they're contenders again.'
There’s also a tricky decision looming with Matt Savoie. Edmonton wants to sign him, but the team appears to be waiting to see what his ceiling really is before locking into a long-term extension.
Still, there’s a scenario that could force the issue. If Savoie’s camp came forward with an eight-year discounted deal before Sept 15th - when eight-year contracts go away - should the Oilers jump?
The idea on the table is $4.5 million per season, and the case for doing it is straightforward: if the player wants to commit now and the price is below what some RFAs have been getting this summer, Edmonton should take it.
Then there’s Vladimir Tarasenko, who remains unsigned despite scoring 16 even-strength goals last season. Whether that’s about him being selective or teams not valuing him enough is unclear, but he’s still a proven scorer.
At 34, he wouldn’t be in line for a bonus-heavy contract, which makes a one-year, low-cap deal the only real path here. If Tarasenko were willing to take $1.5 million, the Oilers would have to at least think hard about it.
For now, though, it sounds like Edmonton has moved on. The question is whether that stance could change - and whether Tarasenko could end up as a Jack Roslovic 2.0.
In Other News...
Oilers Fans Face A Familiar Connor McDavid Tradeoff This Season
Connor McDavid has made a career out of turning the Oilers into a nightly must-watch team, and this season the conversation around him is familiar: how much individual production comes with the territory when the bigger goal is winning in the spring. A recent fan survey suggests Edmonton supporters are bracing for a slight dip in his point totals, but not in the broader value he brings if the team is better positioned for playoff success.
The more interesting part is the temperature around what comes next if the Oilers keep coming up short. Fans may be willing to trade a little offense for a deeper run, but there is still an uneasy sense that the long view of McDavids future in Edmonton will depend on whether those results ever arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Face Intriguing Next Step With Two Young Forwards
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Around the league, the broader landscape is shifting in ways that could matter down the road for teams trying to build and keep star power. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has suggested Houston could be the next expansion market, with play potentially beginning in the 2029-30 season, while Connor McDavids future continues to be a topic of conversation as his Oilers contract plays out. For the Capitals, the immediate focus remains on Leonard and Sourdif, but the market for young talent is only getting tighter. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers May Use A Familiar Face To Solve A Camp Dilemma
With training camp coming fast and the preseason shortened, the Oilers could use a low-risk way to add bodies and get a read on depth under new coaches Mike Babcock and D.J. Smith. Kurt Leavins of The Edmonton Journal floated the idea of bringing in a familiar face on a professional tryout contract, a practical move for a team that may lean toward players the staff already knows rather than spending precious time evaluating complete unknowns.
Curtis Lazar fits that description well. He has already worn an Oilers sweater and remains unsigned, making him an easy name to circle if Edmonton wants experience in a bottom-six role and some comfort in the camp competition. The appeal is obvious, even if the final decision still hinges on whether the organization wants to keep looking inward or give a known depth option another shot. [Read more 🡒]