The Edmonton Oilers head into the key July 1 free agency period with one clear goal: address the issues that led to another disappointing first-round exit against the Anaheim Ducks.
But with a thin UFA market and limited cap space, GM Stan Bowman is already facing tough roster decisions that could reshape the team’s core. As a result, an NHL insider notes that a 21-goal scorer could end up as a cap casualty in Edmonton.
Cap Pressure Building on Oilers’ Scoring Forward
The Oilers are in a better cap position than last summer, with about $15.5 million in projected space, but they still face limited flexibility with several roster holes to fill. Their UFAs include Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Ingram, Jack Roslovic, and Adam Henrique, while Colton Dach and Spencer Stastney are RFAs.
Edmonton is expected to try to bring back Murphy, Dickinson, and Kapanen if the contracts make sense, as all three played key roles, especially in defensive situations.
AFP Analytics projects Dickinson at around $5M AAV, Murphy at $3.6M, and Kapanen near $3.1M. The Oilers could slightly reduce those hits with longer terms, but that’s roughly the price range they’re dealing with.
NHL insider Harman Dayal reports that Jack Roslovic is the most likely odd man out. “If Edmonton re-signs Dickinson, Murphy and Kapanen at those prices, it will be left with approximately $3.8 million in cap room and 19 of 23 NHL roster spots filled. The Oilers will likely need to let Roslovic walk,” Dayal noted.
Roslovic delivered a strong regular season, 21 goals in 69 games, but his playoff production fell sharply, finishing with just one point. That inconsistency, combined with Edmonton’s cap limitations, puts him squarely in the danger zone.
As Dayal put it, the Oilers may have no choice but to let him walk, especially with younger internal options like Ike Howard potentially stepping into secondary scoring roles next season.
There is technically a path to keeping Roslovic, but it would require Edmonton to create space elsewhere. One possibility is moving Darnell Nurse and his $9.25 million cap hit.
However, Nurse carries a no-trade clause, and even if a deal were possible, the Oilers would likely need to retain salary or attach additional assets to move him. That makes this route complicated.
Still, if Edmonton finds a way to free up meaningful cap space, Roslovic could re-enter the picture as a retained asset rather than a casualty.
Goaltending Remains Biggest Concern
Beyond roster decisions up front, Edmonton’s biggest issue remains in net. Tristan Jarry’s $5.375M deal has not worked out due to injuries and inconsistency, while Connor Ingram is also set for free agency.
With a weak, aging goalie market, led by 37-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky, the Oilers may be forced to explore sign-and-trade options rather than rely on free agency.
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Targets reportedly on their radar include Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Minnesota’s Filip Gustavsson, and Detroit prospect Sebastian Cossa.
For now, it remains to be seen how aggressively Edmonton reshapes its roster this offseason.
