Oilers could put one of Connor Brown, Warren Foegele or Dylan Holloway into the top-6 spot vacated by Kailer Yamamoto. The Edmonton Oilers [https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers] were linked to Jonathan Toews [https://puckpedia.com/player/jonathan-toews] this offseason, but recent reports surfaced [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/jonathan-toews-to-oilers-seems-unlikely-after-recent-report] that the future Hall of Famer is likely planning to retire [https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2023/07/12/it-sure-sounds-like-jonathan-toews-is-retiring/]. As a result, if the Oilers want to find another fourth-line center option, they likely will be forced to look elsewhere. Enter Tomas Nosek [https://puckpedia.com/player/tomas-nosek]. Related: Edmonton Oilers Free Agent Tracker [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/edmonton-oilers-free-agent-tracker] I argued in a recent article [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-forwards-to-target-after-missing-out-on-nieto] that the Oilers should consider bringing in Nosek for their 4C role. Although Toews would have [https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-chicago-blackhawks-forward-jonathan-toews-unlikely-to-resume-nhl-career-bakersfield-condors-defenceman-yanni-kaldis-signs-in-khl-and-more] been the bigger name, Nosek also has the potential to provide plenty to the table. Tomas Nosek [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk5MzM1Nzg2ODc5OTIwMDc4/usatsi_20370935_168401874_lowres.jpg] Tomas Nosek Although Nosek is not the most dominant of players offensively, he makes up for that in other areas. He is excellent at faceoffs, winning just under 60% of his draws this past season with the Boston Bruins [https://puckpedia.com/team/boston-bruins]. Furthermore, he became a key component of Boston's penalty kill because of his reliable defensive play. Adding these elements to Edmonton's fourth line would be beneficial. Related: Oilers Have 3 Free-Agent Right-Shot Depth Defenseman They Should Target [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-have-3-free-agent-right-shot-depth-defenseman-they-should-target] With free agency now just under two weeks in, we are starting to see players settle for cheap one-year deals. Nosek could be the next who follows, and the Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] should try to take advantage of that. Nosek would be an upgrade over recent free-agent signing [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/report-oilers-sign-lane-pederson] and depth forward Lane Pederson [https://puckpedia.com/player/lane-pederson] for the 4C role, so this is a move that GM Ken Holland should consider. Related: 3 Assets the Oilers Could Use to Acquire Brett Pesce [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/3-assets-the-oilers-could-use-to-acquire-brett-pesce] In 66 games this past season with the Bruins, Nosek had seven goals, 19 points, and a plus-9 rating. Related: 5 Important Oilers Stories from the Last Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/5-important-oilers-stories-from-the-last-week] Related: The Most Well Connected Man in the NHL is Getting Married [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/rankings/the-most-well-connected-man-in-the-nhl-is-getting-married] Related: Oilers Should Not Trade for This Goalie Who Wants Out [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-should-not-trade-for-this-goalie-who-wants-out]
