Decompose the offseason rumors of 8 Oilers: What makes sense? – Hockey Writer –
GM slowed down due to the little action, which is the NHL’s guess season. Several rumors circulate among the various teams, and each summer, the buzz around the Edmonton Oilers is the most interesting. The roster was large turnover this summer, and contract negotiations were dominant headlines.
From Carter Hart’s speculation and Marc-André Fleury Fantasy’s conversation to trade chats involving Bryan Rust – breaking the merits that rumor actually has can be a challenge. Let’s take a look at the most frequently discussed rumors and see that at least one 2025-26 lineup makes sense.
Jake Walman long-term expansion buzz
While most of the focus in Edmonton this summer has been on internal improvements and tweaking the forwards’ combination, Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman can make a big impact by locking down the defense. Jake Walman is now eligible for signing, and he won his final season of the trade before he reached free agent.
The 28-year-old Blueliner has a great season and is currently paying $3.4 million in a deal. The Oilers could offer him other teams if he signs now: an extension of eight years. It’s a major bargaining chip, especially for players with limited career income and may be valued by AAVs than elsewhere.
Related: Ganaks and Roslovic, Oilers Expansion and Trade Talk, and More NHL Rumors
On eight years of court, a deal, $48 million (average $6 million per quarter) could attract both sides. Walman will gain financial stability in his 30s, while the Oilers will move with reliable moves, with the top four defenders falling at what looks like bargains in two years, especially if wage caps continue to rise.
Mattias Ekholm Extension Talk
The Oilers are also reportedly considering offering an early extension to veteran defender Mattias Ekholm. Given his injury history and age, the urgency to complete the work. He is not the kind of person that will be more worthwhile than today’s defensive players, so there is no rush to beat the rising salary cap.
The question is more about how long he will be locked in, and how he will be seen as a top defender on the Oilers roster.
Oilers may trade Mattias Janmark
A deal that is entirely under Edmonton control is where they move players without trade protection and tradeable hat hits. This led to speculation that Mattias Janmark is a player the Oilers are ready to move on. He will be an extra step forward many nights, and his $1.45 million hat hit rate isn’t an albatross, but it’s the way the Oiler is doing other businesses.
Oilers tried to build a cup window around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Janmark feels like a strange man on a roster that begins to take shape and provides a mix of youth, speed, skill and reliable production.
External rumors are unlikely
Let’s be clear – some of the other options are not completely without advantages. But they are either too risky, too expensive, or too impossible:
Carter Hart signed by tanker:
Despite being acquitted in court recently, Hart faces an NHL investigation and remains ineligible to return. Yes, the Oilers may need goalkeeper upgrades this season. But with the controversy and several questions about signing Carter Hart, the Oilers player may not want to answer his roster. Jason Gregor confirmed that the Oilers did not show real internal interests. This didn’t happen – at least soon.
Oilers convince Marc-André Fleury to cancel retirement:
As a Hall of Fame member for upgrading goals? Absolutely. But Fleury retired, and even if he changed his mind mid-season, there is no guarantee that Edmonton will be his landing site. Relying on a 40-year-old making a comeback, he hasn’t changed his mind about leaving the NHL yet, it seems like an unwise choice.
For Brian Rust’s oil workers:
Bryan Rust feels like it fits on paper, but Edmonton’s tight salary cap and lack of ideal trade assets make it unlikely. The Penguins are willing to talk about scoring wingers’ trades, but they want a steady return and other teams will get a goal.
Unless Pittsburgh lowers its asking price (or the production price of production), he may be out of reach.
Pay attention to the oil workers who are the largest pacioretty:
While the veteran may be a decent replacement for Corey Perry, the injury and slowdown make Max Pacioretty a suspicious fit for the team that prioritizes youth and pace. He is a fallback option at best. If he doesn’t have an autograph and wants to continue the game, maybe he’s a PTO candidate.
Oiler signs Nikita Yevseyev:
A project with upside potential, there are speculations that the Oiler is reaching an agreement with prospect Nikita Yevseyev. Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor has dismissed the possibility of signing him this offseason. Given the crowded blue line in Bakersfield, there is no sense of urgency.
Winner: Jake Walman deal or Janmark deal
In a noise-filled offseason, the Edmonton Oilers’ clearest, smartest game was to get Jake Walman locked right now. He is the kind of basic work that strengthens the core of competitors, and trading early can save millions of people.
Janmark trade makes sense too. If he isn’t going to be a regular guy, removing the hat’s block from the book will give General Manager Stan Bowman some room for action, especially during the trade deadline or season.
