The Edmonton Oilers’ decision to sign Alex Formenton is the kind of move that gets people talking fast, and it did exactly that. Edmonton gave Formenton a one-year deal worth $850,000, bringing him back into the NHL after his involvement in the case tied to five players from the 2018 Hockey Canada team. Formenton addressed the reaction on Wednesday, saying his return was a process and that he was grateful for the chance.
What stood out for Elliotte Friedman wasn’t that Formenton resurfaced in the league after being reinstated by Hockey Canada. It was that he came back in Canada, and that a Canadian team was the one to sign him.
Friedman pointed to the reaction around Cal Foote’s attempt to return to Europe and said he never expected to see one of the five players land with a Canadian organization. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug also cited Stan Bowman, who said Hockey Canada’s recent support for reinstatement mattered in the Oilers’ thinking.
“I think that played a big role for us in our decision-making. They were certainly the closest to this; they had the most information, so for them to single Alex out as the one deserving of reinstatement immediately, we did feel like that played a large role.”
One other wrinkle in Edmonton’s move: the club apparently did not need NHL approval to sign Formenton.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck situation remains one of the league’s biggest unresolved storylines as training camp approaches. Friedman said he feels bad for everyone caught up in it - Hellebuyck, the Jets, and the fan base. He believes circumstances outside Winnipeg’s control after last season made the situation tougher, and he said Hellebuyck’s preferred landing spots are wider than some other recent star trade requests, though Canadian teams are not believed to be on that list.
Friedman’s read is that Winnipeg knows a trade has to happen and that there’s no turning back now. In his view, this is headed toward a split; the question is where Hellebuyck goes and which team has the assets to make it work. He also said it doesn’t sound like the New Jersey Devils are as interested as once reported.
Quinn Hughes, for his part, isn’t rushing anything with the Minnesota Wild. At the NHL Player Media Tour, he said plainly that an extension won’t be tied to a deadline or training camp pressure.
“This is going to be done whenever I feel like it needs to be done,” Hughes said, explaining that he wants to take his time and make the right call for everyone involved. He added that he doesn’t feel boxed in and will stay in contact with GM Bill Guerin.
There’s also speculation that Hughes could be watching what happens with Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, who has been linked to Minnesota. For now, Hughes sounds content to keep the door open.
And then there’s the loss of Barry Melrose, who died at 70. The ESPN analyst and former coach was one of hockey’s most recognizable voices, with his mullet, sharp suits, humor, and unmistakable opinions making him impossible to miss. His death is a huge loss for the sport.
In Other News...
Oilers Spark Immediate Backlash With Controversial Alex Formenton Decision
The Oilers decision to bring in Alex Formenton has already turned into one of the most scrutinized moves of their offseason. Formenton, who had previously been involved in a trial stemming from the 2018 Hockey Canada team, said he was grateful for the chance to get back to the NHL, while the signing immediately put Edmonton under a brighter spotlight than most late-summer additions ever draw.
What has only added to the chatter is how little advance notice the league appeared to have before the move became public. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the Oilers did not need league approval for the signing and learned about it at the same time everyone else, a detail that only sharpened the sense that Edmonton was willing to move first and sort out the reaction later. [Read more 🡒]
McDavid Just Sent A Clear Message About What Oilers Need Most
Connor McDavids captains skate in Edmonton on Sept. 9 offered an early glimpse of what the Oilers think will matter most when camp ramps up. Speaking with local media, he stressed the need for a fast start to the season and made it clear that the group cant afford to spend weeks searching for its footing again after a summer of reflection and expectation.
McDavid also addressed the practical side of getting there, pointing to the value of a calmer year on the schedule and the chance to carry more rest into the grind ahead. For a team that has spent plenty of time juggling combinations and trying to settle into a rhythm, the message was less about flash than about finding a steady base before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Just Raised The Price On Keeping Young Talent
Bostons new deal for Fraser Minten has added another data point to the market for young forwards, and it is one Edmonton will have to watch closely. Mintens seven-year extension, which begins in 2027-28, gives the Bruins a fresh benchmark for players with similar age and upside, and Matthew Savoie fits right into that conversation as the Oilers sort through his next contract.
Edmonton has room to maneuver with cap space opening up for 2027-28, but that flexibility also comes with a decision the front office cannot afford to delay. Savoie is eligible for an extension, and with comparable experience and production to Minten, the Oilers likely need to get serious about a long-term arrangement before the market gets any louder and the risk of an offer sheet becomes harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]