Insider Connects Oilers to Veteran Free-Agent Winger

The Edmonton Oilers currently have just over $7.25 million in cap space, and it’s safe to say they’ll be expected to spend it.

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That is always the case with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way, and even more so with the increased urgency as the former’s short-term, two-year extension begins next season.

While GM Stan Bowman still has some RFAs of his own to take care of — Colton Dach, Spencer Stastney, and newly acquired Shakir Mukhamadullin — he should still have money to play with, and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman is wondering if it could be used on veteran free-agent winger Vladimir Tarasenko.

Friedman wrote:

“Wonder if the Oilers look at Vladimir Tarasenko. Heard a few teams looked at him as things calmed down after free agency day one,”

The 34-year-old Tarasenko is a UFA after playing out the final year of the two-year, $9.5 million contract he signed with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent in 2024. He produced 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 75 games played for the Minnesota Wild last season.

Edmonton has filled out its forward group quite nicely, though it wouldn’t hurt to add another potential top-six option. Tarasenko isn’t the first-line star winger he was in his prime, but he’s shown he can still be productive into his thirties and is flexible to slot in anywhere in the Oilers’ top nine.

He would have ranked fourth on Edmonton last regular-season in goal scoring behind only McDavid, Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, so there is still plenty of juice left in the tank.

It will ultimately, however, come down to whether Bowman can beat out any other suitors because, as Friedman mentioned, the Oilers aren’t alone in their pursuit of Tarasenko.

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