The Edmonton Oilers have made a habit of staying patient when the market drags, and that approach could put Vladimir Tarasenko in their path again.
Tarasenko is still unsigned even after getting permission from the NHL to start negotiating early following a change of agents. With training camp still weeks away, there’s no real rush, and that kind of wait-and-see environment fits Edmonton’s playbook.
The Oilers did this last summer with Jack Roslovic, waiting until the middle of opening night of the 2025-56 season before he officially signed. That deal came after weeks of speculation and gave Edmonton a proven forward on a team-friendly contract once the market had settled.
Tarasenko could be headed down a similar road. At 34, he may be more interested in landing with a true contender than chasing the biggest number. He won a championship in 2019, and after spending the later stages of his career trying to get back to that stage, a rebuilding team or a middling roster probably doesn’t hold much appeal.
Edmonton, on the other hand, checks the right boxes. The Oilers are coming off another deep playoff run, they have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at the top of the lineup, and they’re still squarely in their championship window.
There’s also a clear hockey fit. Tarasenko put up 23 goals and 24 assists in 75 games last season, showing he can still chip in as a secondary scorer. Edmonton has elite star power, but another proven finisher would take some pressure off the top guys and give the middle six more punch.
Tarasenko has made a career out of finding space and unleashing one of the game’s most dangerous wrist shots. In a lineup full of elite playmakers, that skill set could still play up.
He’d also bring a useful playoff resume. Tarasenko has played in more than 120 postseason games and already has a Stanley Cup ring, which gives any contender a veteran who knows what the grind looks like when the games tighten up.
My prediction is that the Oilers will sign Tarasenko to a one-year contract worth between $1.5 million and $2 million, similar to the value deal they gave Roslovic after patiently waiting for the market to settle last offseason.
The logic is pretty clean. Tarasenko is still one of the best unrestricted free agents on the board, but he hasn’t shown any urgency to jump at the first offer.
At 34 and already a champion, he can afford to prioritize a chance at another deep run. Edmonton has already shown it will wait for the right veteran at the right price, and that makes this a natural match.
A short-term deal works for both sides. Tarasenko gets another shot at a Stanley Cup and a chance to rebuild his value for next summer.
The Oilers get a proven 20-goal scorer with championship experience without tying up long-term cap space. If the market keeps cooling, Edmonton could end up landing one of the summer’s best bargains.
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