5 under-the-radar free agents the Edmonton Oilers should target
The NHL’s annual free agency period is set to open on Tuesday morning, and the Edmonton Oilers will be doing some shopping.
Rumours have been swirling around the Oilers in connection to FA sniper Brock Boeser, and he is far from the only player that GM Stan Bowman should be calling. The ex-Vancouver Canucks forward may be one of the biggest names on the free market, and would fill the need for another bonafide top-six scorer, but he isn’t the only option.
There are plenty of other, cheaper forwards (and one low-cost defenceman) on the market that could entice the Oilers once the market opens up.
Here is a look at five under-the-radar players Edmonton could target when free agency begins:
1. Andrew Mangiapane, LW
Age: 29
2024-25 stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 14 A, 28 PTS
Previous cap hit: $5.8 million
The Oilers are rumoured to have interest in signing ex-Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane, and it could be for less than you expect.
The 29-year-old is coming off a disappointing season with the Washington Capitals, notching just 28 points in 81 games. He only mustered two points in 10 playoff games as well.
With that being said, this may be an outlier, as Mangiapane has been a pretty consistent 35-40 point guy throughout his career. The Oilers could get him cheaper than expected and slot him in as a middle-six winger who could potentially play next to Leon Draisaitl.
2. Anthony Mantha, RW
Age: 30
2024-25 stats: 13 GP, 4 G, 3A, 7 PTS
Last cap hit: $3.5 million
If the Oilers want a player with some edge to their game and some offensive upside, all while being fairly cheap, it might be worth taking a gamble on Anthony Mantha.
Not much can be gleaned from his past season in Calgary, as he suffered a season-ending ACL injury just 13 games in. However, if he can get healthy before the new season, Mantha could be one of the best buy-low candidates in free agency.
He scored 23 goals and 44 points the year before, and was a pain for opponents to play against. Mantha might be a gamble, but he won’t cost a whole ton to sign.
3. Nick Perbix, RD
Age: 27
2024-25 stats: 74 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 PTS
Last cap hit: $1.12 million
The Oilers may be focused on upgrading the forward group, but they are still in need of another RHD on the roster.
If they are looking to make a low-cost bet on a player who could be ready for some added responsibility, they may have their guy in Nick Perbix. The Minnesota native is an analytical darling and seems to be great at moving the puck in the right direction.
He isn’t flashy, but he may wind up being one of the biggest steals of this free agency class.
4. Andrei Kuzmenko, LW
Age: 29
2024-25 stats: 66 GP, 11 G, 26 A, 37 PTS
Last cap hit: $5.5 million
The Oilers were all over Kuzmenko when he came over to the NHL a few years ago, and they could reconnect this summer.
It’s been a rough couple of seasons for the Russian sniper as he played for three different teams last season. It looked as though his NHL tenure may be coming to an end, but then he put things together with the LA Kings, particularly in the playoffs. He notched six points in six games in the first round against the Oilers.
His defensive play is questionable, but he has shown flashes of offensive brilliance. He’s one of the bigger boom-or-bust guys available.
5. Adam Gaudette, RW
Age: 28
2024-25 stats: 81 GP, 19 G, 7 A, 26 PTS
Last cap hit: $775,000
Was 2024-25 an anomaly for Adam Gaudette or a sign of things to come?
NHL teams, including the Oilers, will have to determine that this summer as the 28-year-old broke out with 19 goals for the Ottawa Senators. He will be in line for a raise, but considering he was making league minimum last season, no contract he signs will break the bank.
It’s unlikely that Gaudette will be a top-six forward on a contending team like Edmonton, but he could add a bit of scoring touch down the lineup for what should be a reasonable cap hit.