Oilers Considering a PTO: “Still Some Decent Players Out There”

Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman appeared with Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now and offered a few important offseason updates for Oilers fans. Addressing injuries to Frederik Andersen and Matt Savoie, he also discussed the team’s salary-cap situation and the possibility of bringing in players on professional tryouts (PTOs).

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With the offseason winding down, several players who remain unsigned are looking for an opportunity to land with an NHL team. Given the Oilers have a few roster spots to fill due to injuries, bringing someone in on a PTO makes sense. Bowman didn’t commit to the idea, but he didn’t rule it out either.

“There are still some decent players out there who are trying to find landing spots. I’m not sure if we’re going to go down that road,” he explained. “We’re not overflowing with players, but we also don’t have a shortage of players. We’re in that mode where, yeah, we probably could try to bring a guy in on a tryout — not the worst idea.”

Who Might the Oilers Consider As PTO Options?

Time might be running out. Then again, the longer the Oilers wait, the better the deal they might get for a player who gets desperate. Eeli Tolvanen signed with the New York Rangers on Wednesday. He was a potential PTO candidate. More names like his could come off the board over the next couple of weeks. For those who remain without work, it creates an opportunity the Oilers might not want to pass up.

After all, the entire point of a PTO is to try out a player with no commitment requried.

Bowman did not reveal which available players the Oilers may have considered, but names such as Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrik Laine, Evander Kane, and Michael Bunting could be forward options. Tarasenko, in particular, could be a nice short-term option who becomes a key part of the offense while Savoie is out of action.

Knowing Savoie’s injury won’t be long, the Oilers GM said the team has enough players to manage the situation, but acknowledged there is room to explore the PTO route if the right opportunity presents itself.

Bowman did seem to hint that a PTO won’t be offered to a goaltender, however.

Next: Was Signing an Injured Andersen Actually a Shrewd Move by the Oilers?