EDMONTON – Things only slow down from here.
With the drama of July 1st in the rearview mirror, the Edmonton Oilers can turn to the next items on their agenda. One of those first tasks will be to reassemble the coaching staff around Kris Knoblauch.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.
Another could be to look ahead at some of the players who are entering the final year of their current deals. The Oilers will look to keep many, if not all, of these players.
In the spirit of that, here are six players whom the Oilers can sign to extensions this season. I have decided to exclude any players who were signed or extended this offseason, as well as Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.
Trending Oilers Stories
Insider Claims Oilers Considering Getting New Goalie Coach
EDMONTON – It’s the season of changes.
Oilers Have Great Goalie Target To Push Skinner
4 Oilers Prospects Who Could Surprise Everyone This Year
Oilers New Forward Is Exactly What They Need
REPORT: Oilers Now Linked To Controversial Young Goalie
5 Oilers Goalie Targets That Are Big Upgrades
Oilers Complete 2025 Offseason Guide: Trades, Signings, & More
EDMONTON – The offseason is in full swing.
Adam Henrique
Adam Henrique has been a good player during his tenure with the Oilers. He played a vital role on the penalty kill during the regular season and playoffs.
During the regular season, Henrique produced 27 points in 82 games. He was the top faceoff centerman in the playoffs for the Oilers. If he sticks around with the team past the offseason, it will be at a lower cap hit than his current price tag.
At this stage of Henrique’s career, it’s uncertain if he would prefer to go somewhere else to get a bigger role or accept a lesser role on the Stanley Cup-contending Oilers.
Troy Stecher
Troy Stecher proved his worth during the recently ended Stanley Cup Playoff run. Once he cracked the starting lineup, he made a name for himself by playing the intense brand of hockey he’s become known for.
Additionally, he did something no other defender on the Oilers squad was able to do – settle Darnell Nurse down. Stecher is in the final season of a two-year $787,500 deal. He’s found a role on the team and it’s reasonable to assume that he is open to signing a similar deal at some point this year.
Brett Kulak
Brett Kulak more than proved his worth this past season. He was called upon more than he ever has been to this point in his career.
Kulak’s career year started by recording a career-high 25 points in 82 games. He saw a huge jump in playing time, from 15:23 on average last season to 20:32 in 2024-25.
Injuries partially contributed to his skyrocketing ice time. Regardless of the reasons why, he proved that he was worth more than his current $2.75 million contract suggests.
Mattias Ekholm
Mattias Ekholm has been a pillar for the Oilers' defense group since he arrived in Edmonton. He’s been the top pairing left-handed defender, stapled to Evan Bouchard’s side, creating one of the best defense pairings in hockey today.
At 35 years old, it’s not out of the question that he could start to regress in one area or another over the next several years. That being said. He can still be an invaluable piece to the Oilers' puzzle.
If he wants to extend with the Oilers, I’d wager his next contract will be less than his previous four-year $6.25 million deal.
Jake Walman
Jake Walman, the great-nephew of the infamous boxer Jake LaMotta, was the big trade deadline splash that GM Stan Bowman brought into the organization. The left-shot blueliner’s puck-moving skills and timely physicality were welcomed traits during the regular season, but especially in the playoffs.
Starting out with the Oilers from training camp will do wonders for him and for his ability to develop more chemistry with whoever his defense partner will be. He’s heading into the final year of a three-year $3.4 million contract and will likely get a raise from that on his next deal.
Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid will sign an extension with the Oilers – make no mistake about that. The only real question is, for how long?
Bouchard just extended with the Oilers. However, his deal was only a four-year contract, as an eight-year deal would have been too high for either side to agree upon.
4 Reasons There Needs To Be A Connor McDavid Biopic
EDMONTON – Movies are forever.
McDavid may opt for a similar term in his next Oilers extension to put pressure on the organization not to become complacent. That being said, it’s doubtful that he goes elsewhere, unless the organization fails to make the playoffs for several seasons in a row.
Brace yourselves Oil Country, things only slow down from here.
Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.