6 wingers Edmonton Oilers could sign in free agency

Despite playing in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, it’s clear that the Edmonton Oilers need to make some changes to their roster.

The biggest area to address is goaltending, as neither Stuart Skinner nor Calvin Pickard was good enough to allow the Oilers to hoist the Stanley Cup this year. But while goaltending is the top priority, it’s not the only area that needs improving.

Another area the Oilers need to improve in is on the wings. They attempted to add more scoring wingers to play with the likes of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid by signing Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson in free agency. Neither worked out.

Skinner will undoubtedly head elsewhere in free agency, while the Oilers are reportedly seeking out a trade for Arvidsson, who has one year left on his contract. They may also look to move out Evander Kane, who had been on the block during the 2024-25 season.

While both Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman are solid options on the wing heading into 2025-26, more will be needed to give this team better secondary scoring. Here’s a look at some wingers who they may be able to afford to sign in free agency.

Brock Boeser

• 2024-25 stats: 75 GP, 25 G, 25 A, 50 PTS

The odds of the Oilers outbidding other teams across the NHL in the hopes of landing Brock Boeser are slim. The 28-year-old is expected to land a fairly lucrative contract despite having a down year that saw him score 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games. One can’t help but wonder, however, if a one-year, prove-it deal with the Oilers is something he’d consider.

Joining the Oilers would give Boeser an opportunity to play with either McDavid or Draisaitl, where his numbers would certainly pop off. That could allow him to hit free agency again next summer and really cash in. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth reaching out to gauge his interest nonetheless.

Jonathan Drouin

• 2024-25 stats: 43 GP, 11 G, 26 A, 37 PTS

One intriguing name expected to hit the market this offseason is Jonathan Drouin. The third-overall pick from the 2013 draft took quite some time to find his footing at the NHL level, but turned out to be a great fit for the Colorado Avalanche over the last two seasons.

Drouin’s struggles throughout his career prior to his stint with the Avalanche, paired with injury concerns, should result in him being forced to sign at a rather low number this offseason. If that is the case, it’s a player the Oilers should strongly consider, as his skill level is undeniable.

Patrick Kane

• 2024-25 stats: 72 GP, 21 G, 38 A, 59 PTS

The Oilers are seemingly wanting to get younger this offseason to help extend their Stanley Cup window, which would seem to rule the 36-year-old Kane out of their plans. That said, he’s proven over the past two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings that he still has plenty of game left.

Kane managed 59 points for the Red Wings this season after putting up 47 in 50 games in 2023-24. His three Stanley Cup championships, won with the Chicago Blackhawks, would also be very valuable to an Oilers team that is struggling to get over the final hump.

Jamie Benn

• 2024-25 stats: 80 GP, 16 G, 33 A, 49 PTS

The end of the road is near for Jamie Benn, who has amassed nearly 1,200 games in what has been an outstanding career. The one thing missing is a Stanley Cup, and if the Dallas Stars opt not to bring him back, he may feel that his best chance to achieve it is in Edmonton.

Like Kane, Benn certainly doesn’t help the Oilers get younger at 35. That said, he not only brings plenty of physicality, but he still has a scoring touch, as indicated by his 16-goal, 49-point season. The contract would need to be a cheap one, though he may be willing to sign for very little to get a chance to win it all.

Mikael Granlund

• 2024-25 stats: 83 GP, 22 G, 66 PTS

Mikael Granlund is a player who can play both down the middle and on the wing, the type of versatility that could be very useful for the Oilers. Though his play can be inconsistent, his stats over the past two seasons indicate that the 33-year-old has plenty of game left.

Granlund is actually quite underrated throughout the hockey world, which could force him to sign a deal much cheaper than many would expect. If he were willing to sign for a reasonable cap hit for a shot at the Cup, the Oilers should be all over it.

Victor Olofsson

• 2024-25 stats: 56 GP, 15 G, 14 A, 29 PTS

If the Oilers want to find a very cheap forward they believe can have offensive success in their system, Victor Olofsson is a name to keep an eye on. The 29-year-old is a rather underrated goal scorer, having scored 20 or more in three of his six seasons to date. Had he not gotten hurt in 2024-25, he likely would have done so once again.

Olofsson has a lethal shot which is capable of beating any goaltender in the NHL when he has the time and space to get it off. The issue with him is that plenty of his offence has tended to come from the power play, a role which he would likely to see little to none of in Edmonton. If they believe he can improve his even-strength play, however, they may give him a shot.

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