Oilers to terminate David Tomasek’s contract

A veteran player is going to become a free agent.

On Friday, the Edmonton Oilers announced that, as soon as the NHL’s roster freeze ends on Sunday, the team will be placing forward David Tomasek on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

According to a report from Swedish outlet Värmlands Folkblad, Tomasek is set to return to Sweden and play for Färjestad BK of the SHL. He signed a one-year contract with the Oilers last April. The deal carried a $1.2 million cap hit through the 2025-26 season. When the Czech winger arrived in North America, he was set to join the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. However, Tomasek returned to Edmonton once forward Zach Hyman was placed on long-term injured reserve.

The 29-year-old was in the lineup for much of the opening month of the season, but saw his time take a sharp turn downward after Hyman returned to action in mid-November. Since Nov. 14, Tomasek has played in just eight of the team’s past 19 games. In 22 appearances, he has notched three goals and two assists for five points, last etching his name on the scoresheet with a goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 6. The Praha native also registered a plus/minus of -6 while averaging 10:46 of ice time.

Tomasek played two seasons with Färjestad before signing with the Oilers. He scored a career-high 57 points in 47 games during the 2024-25 campaign. That came after scoring 25 goals and 45 points the year before. He’s bounced around Europe, playing for his native HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga, making stops with JYP of Liiga in Finland and Amur Khabarovsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

The Oilers (19-13-6) sit tied for first in the Pacific Division. They will return to action on Saturday night in another edition of the Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames.