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6 scoring forwards Edmonton Oilers can sign after missing out on Claude Giroux

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Jul 10 2026, 6:25 pm
6 scoring forwards Edmonton Oilers can sign after missing out on Claude Giroux
Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers have made some massive changes over the offseason thus far, and may not be done just yet.

After making upgrades on the blue line and in between the pipes, GM Stan Bowman and his staff turned their focus to adding another skilled forward to the lineup, preferably one who could plug into the top six.

One option they looked at was Claude Giroux, supposedly going as far as to offer him a contract. The 38-year-old won’t be heading to Oil Country, however, as he instead re-upped with the Ottawa Senators.

While not landing Giroux is a bummer to many Oilers fans, there is still talent available on the free agent market. Even better, Bowman has $7.25 million in cap space, meaning he can look at adding another impactful forward.

Here are six options that could serve as good fits in Alberta’s capital city.

Anthony Mantha

  • Age: 31
  • Position: RW/LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 33 G, 31 A, 64 PTS (Pittsburgh Penguins)

After having his 2024-25 season cut short due to an ACL injury, Anthony Mantha bounced back in 2025-26 with the best stats of his career. His 33 goals led all Pittsburgh Penguins players.


Mantha has the most upside of the free agents on this list, but he also has a tendency to be extremely inconsistent. The Oilers would be very wary of that when it comes to signing a contract.

Patrick Kane

  • Age: 37
  • Position: RW/LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 67 GP, 16 G, 41 A, 57 PTS (Detroit Red Wings)

Patrick Kane may not be the player he was in his prime years with the Chicago Blackhawks, but he’s still pretty damn good. Over his past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, he’s recorded 163 points in 189 games.

Kane, who has made a boatload of money during his career to go with three Stanley Cup championships, doesn’t appear to be in any sort of rush to sign a new deal. Should he decide he’s all in on gunning for a fourth Cup, the Oilers would be a great option.

Vladimir Tarasenko

  • Age: 34
  • Position: RW/LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 23 G, 24 A, 47 PTS (Minnesota Wild)

Much like Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko isn’t the star talent he was earlier in his career, but he’s still managed to find ways to remain impactful. Rather than leading the way in scoring, he’s now transitioned into more of a depth producer.


Tarasenko has bounced around a lot in recent years and may be looking for some more security on his next contract. The Oilers will need to be very careful in that case, as they can’t afford any more bad deals on the books.

Michael Bunting

  • Age: 30
  • Position: RW/LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 74 GP, 14 G, 19 A, 33 PTS (Nashville Predators/Dallas Stars)

If the Oilers want to get a whole lot more annoying, Michael Bunting could be the perfect option. The 30-year-old has been a pest throughout his entire 418-game career, but he also has more skill than many recognize.

Bunting will never be a star talent, but he has proven that when playing alongside skilled players, he can produce. He posted a career-high 63 points with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22, and has scored 19 or more goals in four seasons.

Patrik Laine

  • Age: 28
  • Position: RW/LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 5 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT (Montreal Canadiens)

The 2025-26 season was a frustrating one for Patrik Laine, who was sidelined for the vast majority of it after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. He was deemed healthy in the playoffs, but failed to get into the Montreal Canadiens lineup.


It’s been quite the fall from grace for Laine, who, early in his career, was regarded as one of the game’s best goal scorers. Now, he’s struggling just to find a new home, though he could be an excellent buy-low candidate should he find his old form.

Eeli Tolvanen

  • Age: 27
  • Position: RW/LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 12 G, 24 A, 36 PTS (Seattle Kraken)

Eeli Tolvanen isn’t nearly as exciting a name as a few others on this list, but he also wouldn’t cost the Oilers much at all to sign. The 27-year-old won’t wow anybody with offensive production, but can provide solid secondary scoring.

Tolvanen has recorded 35 points or more over the last three seasons, and scored a career-high 23 goals in 2024-25. He can play up and down the lineup, which makes him an intriguing option for the Oilers.

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