8 Oilers who could be playing their last game with Edmonton
The Edmonton Oilers are two wins away from winning the Stanley Cup, but they are one loss away from elimination.
It has been yet another grinding two months for the Oilers to make it to this point again. They looked dead on arrival in the opening round against the LA Kings before making a comeback, overcame tough moments against the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars, and are now facing the ultimate challenge with the Florida Panthers.
A win in Game 6 will set up an ultimate showdown in Edmonton for a winner-takes-all Game 7 on Friday night. A loss will mean more heartbreak in the Alberta capital, and it could also mean that handful of current Oilers players may play in their last game with the franchise as early as Tuesday night.
Here are eight players who may never pull on an Oilers jersey again after Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
1. Evan Bouchard
Contract: $3.9 million (RFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 14G, 53 A, 67 PTS
Evan Bouchard has been the heartbeat of the team’s offence from the blueline and has had yet another incredibly productive season.
His regular-season point totals are down, but he has picked up where he left off in the postseason with seven goals and 23 points in 21 playoff games. Bouchard is set for a massive raise on his next contract as he hits the RFA market, but will it come in Edmonton?
There seems to be some belief that Bouchard will demand at least $10 million on his next contract, and the Oilers already have to figure out a contract extension for Connor McDavid. There is no doubt that Edmonton will try to lock up the offensive defenceman, but the threat of an offer sheet is always present.
2. Corey Perry
Contract: $1.15 million (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 81 GP, 19 G, 11 A, 30 PTS
Age is only a number for Corey Perry, and the 40-year-old is reportedly committed to playing at least one more NHL season before hanging them up.
He’s had a bit of a renaissance year in the Alberta capital, potting 19 goals in the regular season and another 10 in the playoffs. There will be no shortage of teams willing to give him a bump up from his current AAV going into next year, including the Oilers.
Perry has been an amazing addition to the Edmonton locker room, but there is no guarantee that he sticks around for another season.
3. Connor Brown
Contract: $1 million (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 13 G, 17 A, 30 PTS
Another player who did well for himself on his next deal is Connor Brown, but will he stick around with the Oilers for a third-straight season?
The 31-year-old has become a fan favourite in Edmonton, and the obvious connections to McDavid and head coach Kris Knoblauch give the Oilers the edge. However, with all the work that Edmonton needs to get done this summer, there is a legitimate question as to whether or not they can afford to give Brown a raise.
Brown has been a plug-and-play guy all season and is beloved in the dressing room. Like Perry, he will have plenty of suitors.
4. Jeff Skinner
Contract: $3 million (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 72 GP, 16 G, 13 A, 29 PTS
Unlike those above him on this list, Jeff Skinner is likely due for a cut in his salary next season.
For what was supposed to be a big season from the grizzled vet, things turned south fast. Skinner became a regular healthy scratch halfway through the season and has only played in four playoff games so far. His numbers weren’t awful, but they are far from what the expectations were heading into the season.
There also seems to be a disconnect between Skinner and Knoblauch. A breakup is probably best for both sides.
5. Kasperi Kapanen
Contract: $1 million (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 67 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS
Kasperi Kapanen has a new lease on life thanks to the Oilers.
The Finnish forward’s NHL career seemed to be dwindling when Edmonton picked him off waivers midway through the season. This was his fourth NHL team since being drafted in the first round back in 2014, and the production still wasn’t there.
He hasn’t lit the world on fire with the Oilers, but he has proven to be a useful middle-six winger who can provide speed and energy at any given moment. His next deal is primed to still be cheap, meaning there will be more teams than just the Oilers vying for his interest.
6. Derek Ryan
Contract: $900,000 (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 36 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS
This may be the end of the road for Derek Ryan.
After playing just 36 games in Edmonton this season, despite being healthy, the most likely result for Ryan this summer looks to be retirement. The Washington native carved out a surprisingly good NHL career after making his debut with the Carolina Hurricanes at the age of 29.
He went unclaimed on waivers earlier this season, showing that interest across the league is generally low.
Teammates loved having him in the room, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he one day got into coaching, but his NHL playing career looks to be over at this point.
7. Trent Frederic
Contract: $2.3 million (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 58 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 PTS
Things haven’t exactly gone as planned for Trent Frederic in Edmonton.
He was acquired from the Boston Bruins at the 2025 trade deadline, but only appeared in one regular-season game with the Oilers due to injury. He came back healthy for the playoffs, but the sandpaper and grit he was supposed to bring haven’t quite made an appearance.
Rumours have circulated about a potential extension in Edmonton, but that hasn’t materialized yet. One wonders if he links up with his hometown St. Louis Blues in the summer.
8. John Klingberg
Contract: $1.75 million (UFA-2025)
2024-25 stats: 11 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS
It’s been an up-and-down season for John Klingberg.
He arrived in Edmonton late in the season after rehabbing an injury and signing with the Oilers. At first, it looked like the rust would be too much to shake off for him to be a useful player, but then came the playoffs.
Out of nowhere, Klingberg and Jake Walman formed an amazing second pair for the Oilers that helped the team make it all the way back to the Stanley Cup Final. The Swede has struggled to maintain his high level of play against the Panthers, but he has shown that he does belong in the NHL.
It remains to be seen if the Oilers bring him back for a full campaign or if Klingberg can find a way to cash in elsewhere.