Edmonton Oilers
Mutual Interest Between the Oilers and 33-Goal UFA?
Could the Edmonton Oilers be a suitor for UFA Anthony Mantha?
The Edmonton Oilers roster is just about set heading into the 2026-27 season, but with close to $6 million still available in cap space, many expect at least one more meaningful addition.
That will almost certainly come up front, given they already have eight defensemen and three goaltenders locked up. The question is, who?
Top-nine options like Claude Giroux — who has since returned to Ottawa — and Vladimir Tarasenko have been rumored as targets. However, insider David Pagnotta has also connected the Oilers to another veteran UFA in Anthony Mantha.
“There are other free agents out there as well in Anthony Mantha, Eeli Tolvanen and others who are looking for homes and interested in joining a team like the Oilers… Curious to see how else they address the forward core. I don’t think they’re done. In terms of somebody versatile you’re looking at an Anthony Mantha. Would you take a shot on a two-year deal? I think some teams would, I think the Oilers would be intrigued by that possibility. The longer this goes he’ll have a decision to make,”
The 31-year-old Mantha is, of course, a UFA after playing out the one-year, $2.5 million contract he signed with the Penguins in free agency in 2025. He racked up a career-high 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists) in 81 games last season.
Pagnotta made those comments several days ago, and Mantha remains on the market, which could benefit Edmonton given that other teams seemingly aren’t willing to offer the longer-term contract he desires.
If Mantha ultimately has to settle for a shorter-term deal, the Oilers could emerge as a prime landing spot. The opportunity to play alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on a Stanley Cup contender has to be enticing, and Pagnotta suggested as much.
GM Stan Bowman doesn’t necessarily have to spend all of his available cap space this summer, but if he does make a splash, Mantha is certainly a name to watch.
Next: Connor McDavid Trapped Himself Out of an Oilers Trade Request
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