How free agency has impacted Edmonton Oilers' roster construction for 2025-26

New York Times

04-07-2025

The early days of free agency this summer were fascinating because of what the Edmonton Oilers did and didn't do on July 1.
Edmonton general manager Stan Bowman did not secure the best goalie on the market (Jake Allen). Multiple skill forwards were signed by other teams in the first hours of free agency.
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The Oilers were quiet. Bowman freed up cap space when he dealt Viktor Arvidsson, but the first addition didn't arrive until late Tuesday night when left winger Andrew Mangiapane was added. On July 2, right-handed centre Curtis Lazar was signed.
For a fan base used to loud noises on July 1 and 2, the Bowman pace was met with all manner of reactions. Some are disappointed there's no new goalie, others are wondering where the goals are going to come from on the wing, and still others are upset that no obvious replacement for Evander Kane's physical play was added on Day 1 of the free-agent frenzy.
What does all of this mean for the 2025-26 roster? Making room for some, adding competition for others and finding a better fit on left wing for the second line.
The Oilers were overstocked on right wingers, so trading Arvidsson plus walking Connor Brown and Corey Perry in free agency means a new look at the position in 2025-26. Zach Hyman will be back to play on the No. 1 line with Connor McDavid, but the rest of the current depth chart suggests a younger, faster group.
Matt Savoie is coming off a strong rookie pro season with the AHL Bakersfield Condors and looked good alongside Leon Draisaitl during a three-game audition during the 2024-25 season. In 32 minutes at five-on-five with the big centre, Savoie delivered a nice assist to set up Draisaitl, and the line had a 50 percent goal share. No guarantees for Savoie, but the opening has been created by management.
David Tomasek is a wild card at right wing (and at centre) for next season. He signed as a free agent at 29 after an exceptional season in the SweHL, where he led the league in points. He scored well at even strength (11-23-34 in 57 games, 2.9 points per 60) and helped outscore opponents in the discipline (41-35). Tomasek also played extensively on the power play (8-10-18 averaging almost three minutes per game) and may give the Oilers a different look on the second power-play unit. The even-strength totals are most impressive, but training camp will show his foot speed and ability to play without the puck against NHL opponents.
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If Savoie and Tomasek both fail in efforts to make second- or third-line right wing, expect coach Kris Knoblauch to look for veteran left wingers Mangiapane, Trent Frederic or Vasily Podkolzin to move over to their off-side.
Lazar is a right-handed centre with plus speed and penalty-killing experience. He had a poor year in five-on-five scoring (0.67 points per 60, down from 1.61 in 2023-24), and that could be a sign that the 30-year-old has hit the wall in this area and won't bring enough offence to hold a roster spot. His contract is a minimal investment and gives Noah Philp (and others) competition for the No. 4 centre job.
There are other areas of the roster that have strong competition (wings, No. 7 defence) but the Oilers' penalty kill could use a boost, and it's in this area that Lazar may have his best chance to win a job out of camp.
Last summer, the Oilers made free-agent bets on Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. The verbal at the time surrounded finally having the opportunity to secure quality linemates for Draisaitl on the second line. To say it didn't work is an understatement.
Draisaitl rolled merrily along (as he always does) with other linemates (mostly Podkolzin and Perry) and delivered another exceptional season. The big man scored 1.62 goals per 60 at five-on-five when playing with Connor McDavid, and 0.93 goals away from the captain (1.17 overall), so the damage to Draisaitl from the failed Skinner-Arvidsson experiment should be considered minimal.
Bowman adding Mangiapane gives the Oilers a goal scorer (0.71 goals per 60 at five-on-five last season) and a good style fit (Mangiapane is aggressive on the forecheck and will go to tough areas).
Mangiapane's 2024-25 season with the Washington Capitals featured a wide range of five-on-five scoring results. He scored just 0.15 goals per 60 in heavy minutes (403) with Lars Eller as his centre, while hammering at a 1.4 goals per 60 clip with Nic Dowd in 214 minutes.
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Taking out the Eller minutes, Mangiapane scored 1.16 goals per 60 at five-on-five for the Capitals in 2024-25. That total would have ranked second to Draisaitl on the Oilers last season. Mangiapane with Draisaitl should work well. It's a better bet than Skinner or Arvidsson based on age and playing style.
Fans will be upset about goaltending in Edmonton until management finds a solution. Did Bowman cast about this offseason and come to the same conclusion as Ken Holland? It's unlikely. Bowman may well want to find an upgrade, but found free-agent and trade prices too dear. No team is going to give the Oilers a helping hand, and that means waiting for an opportunity.
Edmonton may hire a 'goalie whisperer' to improve Stuart Skinner's performance to the point the organization is confident in running the big man for a fourth straight playoff run. Or a trade happens before training camp. Either way, if it's an issue, Edmonton must make a bold move at the deadline.
Bowman made room for Savoie (and Tomasek) while also finding Draisaitl's possible ideal winger. NHL teams run forward lines in pairs and then add a third based on complementary players who fill a specific need.
If Draisaitl and Mangiapane can find some magic together, the Oilers will have accomplished much in the early hours of free agency in 2025.
Lazar is a solid small bet.
If there's another loud noise this summer, it's a goalie.
(Photo of Andrew Mangiapane: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)