The Edmonton Oilers are trimming the roster again with opening night just around the corner.
On Sunday morning, the club sent 23-year-old defenceman Damien Carfagna to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and placed veteran goaltender Matt Tomkins on waivers for the purpose of assignment. Those moves came after a clean 4-0 preseason and with Tuesday’s home opener against the Vancouver Canucks fast approaching.
Carfagna earned a real look in camp after signing with the Oilers out of the NCAA in 2025 and making his pro debut with Bakersfield last season. He put up seven goals and 22 points in 66 AHL games, then followed that with an impressive preseason showing. Still, he couldn’t force his way through a crowded Edmonton blue line.
Tomkins was always facing an uphill battle to crack the opening night roster. Even with Frederik Andersen sidelined, the Oilers still have Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi as NHL options. The 32-year-old is expected to spend most of the season in Bakersfield unless injuries create an opening.
Edmonton still has more work to do before the roster is finalized. With Carfagna and Tomkins off the NHL roster, and with Andersen, Matt Savoie, Alec Regula, Mattias Janmark, and now Jason Dickinson expected to start the season on the IR, the Oilers are sitting at 24 players - one over the league’s 23-man limit.
That leaves a few decisions hanging in the balance. Josh Samanski and Owen Michaels have been battling for a spot, and Dickinson’s injury could push management to keep both to begin the year. Max Jones looks like the most vulnerable player still on the roster if another cut is coming.
There’s also a logjam on the back end, where eight defenders remain in the mix. Edmonton could still start the season with eight blueliners, though a move there wouldn’t be a surprise either.
The picture should clear up soon, with the Oilers expected to have their opening night roster settled within the next 48 hours.
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