No matter what happens by the end of the season or during the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers are getting ready for another important offseason, and with July 1 coming up, the management team plans to be very proactive.
The goal is clear: they need to surround Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with better and more dependable players, especially since McDavid’s new two-year contract starts next season.
Three free agents look like they could really help the team and meet different needs on the roster.
Three Free Agents Connected to Edmonton
Mason Marchment is exactly the kind of tough player that Edmonton really needs in its top six forwards. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, he has a powerful style, fights for the puck in tough situations, and can keep up with the scoring.
This year, he scored around 20 goals while also having good stats for keeping the puck when both teams are at even strength. Marchment is finishing up a contract that costs just under $4.5 million, and his next contract will probably be in the $5 to $6 million range per year.
That’s quite a bit of money, but his size and ability to score would take some pressure off the Oilers’ star players, especially in the playoffs where there’s not much room to move.
Rasmus Andersson is the most interesting name on this list.
He was recently traded to Vegas, but there are still talks in the league that he might move again because of salary cap issues.
Andersson is a right-handed defenseman who plays a lot of minutes, helps on power plays, and has a solid all-around game. This season, he put up good offensive numbers from the defense position while also helping his team defensively. His current deal costs $4.55 million, but a new contract would likely exceed $7 million.
Edmonton really needs reliable players on the right side of its defense, and Andersson would fit right into a top-level role.
Next, we have Alex Tuch, a top pick. He just had another great season, scoring more than 25 goals and regularly being a key player. Tuch has speed, good size, and a strong point of view about scoring first, which is something the Edmonton team could really benefit from beyond their main stars.
Right now, his contract is worth $4.75 million, but if he goes to free agency, he might look for around $10 million. That’s a big amount, but he’s the type of player who can lead a group on the ice, not just tag along.
If the Oilers want to make progress, they need more than just signing extra players. They need players who can make a real difference—and the decisions made on July 1 could really shape their future.
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