The Edmonton Oilers may have fallen just short of hoisting the Stanley Cup this season, but their focus has already shifted toward ensuring the team remains competitive for another deep playoff run. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Oilers are actively working to sign one of their most significant pending unrestricted free agents (UFA) to a new deal—a move that reflects both the urgency and the challenges of Edmonton’s offseason plans.
While Friedman didn’t publicly disclose the specific player in question, speculation has already swept across the hockey community, with fans and analysts alike trying to decipher which of Edmonton’s key UFAs the team is zeroing in on. After all, the Oilers’ offseason checklist is extensive, especially as they attempt to keep the core intact while navigating salary cap constraints and building around franchise centerpieces like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The Oilers entered the offseason with several notable names approaching free agency, including veteran forwards, blue-line contributors, and depth pieces who played crucial roles in their 2025 Stanley Cup Final run. Retaining as much of this core as possible is vital for general manager Ken Holland—or his successor, should management changes occur—to maintain momentum heading into the 2025-26 season.
For context, Edmonton’s dramatic playoff journey reignited belief across the city and demonstrated how close this roster is to achieving hockey’s ultimate prize. Despite falling short in the Final, the blend of superstar talent, veteran leadership, and gritty depth performers proved formidable. That formula, however, is fragile and highly susceptible to offseason departures—particularly when UFAs test the open market and lucrative offers pour in from around the league.
Elliotte Friedman’s report suggests the Oilers are taking proactive steps to prevent that scenario, at least with one of their major free agents. “The Oilers are working hard to bring back a pending UFA,” Friedman shared during a recent segment on Sportsnet. “There’s definitely mutual interest, and conversations are ongoing.”
While Friedman stopped short of confirming which player is involved, educated guesses have centered around several logical candidates. Perhaps most prominent among them is veteran forward Adam Henrique, acquired at the trade deadline to bolster Edmonton’s center depth and playoff experience. Henrique fit seamlessly into the lineup, providing versatility, two-way reliability, and crucial offensive contributions when the stakes were highest.
Henrique, 35, is entering the twilight of his NHL career but has made it clear he still believes he can contribute to a contending team—and few rosters offer a better opportunity than Edmonton. His ability to play center or wing, kill penalties, and provide veteran leadership makes him a natural candidate for a short-term extension, especially considering the positive impact he had during the postseason.
Alternatively, the focus could be on defenseman Vincent Desharnais, whose steady presence on the blue line added a physical, shutdown element that the Oilers sorely needed during their playoff run. Desharnais, known for his size and willingness to play with an edge, earned significant trust from head coach Kris Knoblauch. His return would solidify Edmonton’s defensive depth, an area long viewed as critical to supporting McDavid and Draisaitl’s offensive brilliance.
Goaltending is another factor to monitor, though insiders believe the Oilers’ primary UFA targets are skaters rather than netminders. Stuart Skinner remains under contract, while uncertainty surrounds the backup position, but current reports suggest negotiations are focusing elsewhere for now.
Regardless of the specific player, the urgency surrounding these negotiations speaks to the Oilers’ broader offseason challenges. Edmonton’s salary cap situation remains tight, limiting flexibility and forcing management to make tough decisions about who stays and who departs. With McDavid and Draisaitl occupying significant cap space—and the latter approaching the final year of his contract—every roster move carries heightened stakes.
Re-signing a pending UFA before the market opens offers multiple advantages. First, it eliminates the risk of a key contributor being lured away by rival teams, which often offer inflated deals during free agency. Second, it provides roster clarity as management navigates other offseason decisions, including potential trades, signings, or promotions from within the organization. Lastly, it sends a message to the locker room and the fan base that Edmonton remains committed to contending, even amidst financial and logistical hurdles.
Of course, negotiations are rarely straightforward. Players nearing free agency hold significant leverage, especially after contributing to a successful playoff run. Many weigh loyalty and familiarity against the allure of testing the open market, where bidding wars can drive salaries beyond initial projections. For veterans like Henrique, the chance to chase a Stanley Cup with a contender often factors heavily into the equation, sometimes even outweighing pure financial considerations.
There’s also the question of term and structure. Edmonton’s cap situation likely dictates that any extension for a veteran UFA comes in the form of a short-term, team-friendly deal, potentially with performance bonuses to maximize flexibility. Such contracts benefit both sides—the player secures another shot at postseason success, while the team preserves room to maneuver under the salary cap.
Meanwhile, Oilers fans are watching developments with bated breath, knowing full well how pivotal this offseason is for the franchise’s trajectory. The bitter taste of coming within reach of the Stanley Cup, only to fall short, lingers heavily. But the rapid emergence of players like Evan Bouchard and the continued dominance of McDavid and Draisaitl offers hope that Edmonton’s championship window remains wide open—if they can manage the roster effectively.
The front office must also account for external pressures. Rival teams have undoubtedly taken notice of Edmonton’s success and are poised to aggressively pursue Oilers UFAs, hoping to weaken a direct competitor while bolstering their own ranks. Furthermore, with several organizations holding substantial cap space this summer, the free-agent landscape could become a financial battleground.
All of this adds complexity to the Oilers’ mission. Retaining key pieces requires not just financial creativity, but clear communication, a compelling vision, and the promise of competing at the sport’s highest level. For Edmonton, leveraging the momentum of their 2025 playoff run—and the undeniable appeal of playing alongside generational talents like McDavid—will be central to persuading free agents to stay.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Oilers management as they navigate these delicate negotiations. While Friedman’s report suggests optimism, nothing is guaranteed in the volatile world of NHL free agency. Still, the proactive approach signals Edmonton’s intent to maintain their competitive edge and take care of internal priorities before outside factors dictate the narrative.
For now, the identity of the pending UFA remains speculative, but the implications are clear: the Oilers understand that continuity, chemistry, and veteran leadership are non-negotiable components of a championship-caliber roster. With the offseason in full swing and the hockey world buzzing, Edmonton fans can only hope that the front office succeeds in keeping the band together—and that the next chapter in their Stanley Cup pursuit begins with a key signature on the dotted line.
