Oilers' Free Agency Decisions
Edmonton Oilers Make Key Moves: Sign Frederik Andersen, Pursue Savoie Amid Offer-Sheet Buzz
The Philadelphia Flyers lit a fuse under the NHL this week by handing Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson a five-year, $90 million offer sheet worth $18 million per year — the largest in league history Ottawa Sun. Now the Edmonton Oilers face pressure to act fast and lock up 22-year-old winger Matt Savoie before another team does the same to them.
Savoie posted 37 points in his first NHL season and earned a spot on Connor McDavid's wing down the stretch Shoreline Beacon. He is in the final year of his entry-level contract, making him a prime target for a hostile offer sheet next summer — just like the Oilers' own Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway were in 2024.
Flyers' $90 Million Bomb Triggers League-Wide Panic
Flyers GM Daniel Briere signed Carlsson to his record deal on July 3, 2026 Edmonton Journal. The offer requires four first-round draft picks as compensation if Anaheim matches it. Teams around the league immediately began re-examining their own restricted free agents.
Veteran reporter Jim Matheson argues it now "behooves" the Oilers to sign Savoie right away National Post. Edmonton lost Broberg and Holloway to unmatched offer sheets from St. Louis in August 2024. The front office does not want a repeat. With $7.25 million in cap space still available, the money exists to get a deal done.
Nurse Trade Frees Cap Space for Savoie Extension
On July 1, GM Stan Bowman traded defenseman Darnell Nurse and his $9.25 million cap hit to the San Jose Sharks Calgary Sun. In return, Edmonton got defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zack Sharp. The move was designed to create breathing room on the cap.
Mukhamadullin quickly signed a two-year extension worth $1.75 million per year Shoreline Beacon. That deal also pushes Spencer Stastney toward a training camp battle for his roster spot. Bowman now has the financial leverage to extend Savoie before offer-sheet season opens next summer.
Oilers Overhaul the Crease, Letting Ingram Walk
Connor Ingram started 30 games for Edmonton last year, going 16-10 with a .899 save percentage National Post. He wanted to return. The Oilers said no. Instead, Bowman signed veteran Frederik Andersen to a one-year, $2.8 million deal and traded for 24-year-old Devon Levi from Buffalo.
Andersen is 36 years old and has a long injury history. Tristan Jarry still carries two years at $5.38 million on his deal Edmonton Journal. GM Bowman confirmed the team will run a three-goalie system. Critics warn that banking on Andersen and Jarry is "something that fans should really be concerned about."
Oilers Chase Giroux to Fill Right-Shot Center Gap
Edmonton still needs a right-shot center who can contribute offensively Ottawa Sun. Their top target is 38-year-old UFA Claude Giroux, who won 63.1% of his 799 face-offs last season. Giroux is testing free agency but has strong ties to Ottawa and Philadelphia that could block a deal.
If Giroux signs elsewhere, the Oilers may pivot to Vladimir Tarasenko on a cheaper deal around $2 million Calgary Sun. Meanwhile, Ottawa made its own big goalie move, acquiring Samuel Ersson's rights from Toronto and signing him to two years at $2.2 million AAV. Senators GM Steve Staios called Ersson "a goaltender we identified as a good fit with our system."
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