6 players Edmonton Oilers could sign to a PTO next season
NHL training camps are set to open up next month, and there are still a lot of intriguing free agents looking for new homes.
The Edmonton Oilers are set to have an interesting lead-up to the 2026-27 season. Mike Babcock has taken over the head coaching duties, two new goaltenders have arrived in Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi, and a couple of young players like Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson are pushing for NHL spots.
Competition will be fierce when the Oilers open up training camp, and there is a chance it could get even more interesting if GM Stan Bowman opts to dip his toes into the PTO field. As it stands, there are a few players that could be of interest to Edmonton that are still looking for a contract.
If those players are still without work next month, the Oilers could easily take a flyer on one of them with a PTO to see if there is a potential fit.
Who could the Oilers look at giving a tryout? Here are six potential candidates…
1. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW
Matt Krohn/Imagn Images
Age: 34
2025-26 stats: 23 G, 24 A, 47 PTS, 75 GP
It’s hard to believe that Vladimir Tarasenko is without a contract for next season.
The 34-year-old Russian was once one of the deadliest snipers in the NHL, but his status has waned over the last couple of seasons. He’s still a good goalscorer, and he came up big in the playoffs last season
Age is a concern, as is his poor defensive play. The Oilers have reportedly had interest in him this summer and could revisit Tarasenko as a PTO option in September if he remains unsigned.
2. Carson Soucy, D
Brad Penner/Imagn Images
Age: 32
2025-26 stats: 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS, 76 GP
The Oilers have a logjam of defencemen heading into the season, but you can never have enough competent defenders.
Carson Soucy is the most notable veteran defender still looking for work. He split last season between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, and likely has a little more left in the tank as a third-pairing guy.
Edmonton has a lot of young defenders at the bottom of their group, and could benefit from having a veteran presence like Soucy among them in camp.
3. Evander Kane, LW
Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images
Age: 35
2025-26 stats: 13 G, 18 A, 31 PTS, 71 GP
Who doesn’t love a good reunion?
Evander Kane is coming off a tough season with the Vancouver Canucks but still has plenty of fans in the Alberta capital. He’ll come at a much cheaper price tag this time around, and it’s looking likely that he’ll need to secure a PTO if he wants to stick in the NHL.
His on-ice impact has been trending downward for a few seasons now, but another look in training camp couldn’t hurt.
4. Patrik Laine, LW
David Kirouac/Imagn Images
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, 5 GP
It appears Patrik Laine is having a hard time securing a new deal after missing most of last season due to injury.
The Finnish sniper has had a lot of injury troubles over recent years, which seems to have scared off his market this summer. As every day passes, it becomes more and more likely that he’ll need a PTO.
Edmonton needs more scoring wingers, and Laine would be an intriguing bet.
5. Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D
Bob Frid/Imagn Images
Age: 27
2025-26 stats: 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS, 31 GP
Could both the Joseph brothers reunite in Edmonton?
The Oilers already brought Mathieu Joseph aboard earlier this summer, and his brother Pierre-Olivier Joseph is still looking for a new contract. Edmonton is already flush with defencemen and is likely not looking to bring in another tweener like Joseph on board, but the brotherly connection could result in a PTO at the very least.
It feels unlikely, but there is a connection to the Alberta capital.
6. Michael Bunting, LW
Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 14 G, 19 A, 33 PTS, 74 GP
If the Oilers aren’t comfortable with their top-six wingers, could they give Michael Bunting a test drive?
Like others on this list, Bunting has begun to fade a little bit over the years. His days as a 20-goal, 50-point guy may be over as he crosses over into his 30s, but there is still a productive player there.
Put him on a line with Leon Draisaitl, and who knows what could happen. A PTO would allow Edmonton a free look to see if there is a fit.