Edmonton Oilers News

Edmonton locked up one of their complementary forwards on Monday after they announced the signing of Vasily Podkolzin to a three-year contract extension worth $2.95 million AAV ($8.85M total). The 23-year-old right-winger enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2024-25 with eight goals and 24 points after he was acquired from Vancouver before the start of last season for a 2025 4th round pick.

Hyman missed the second half of last year's playoffs after enduring an upper-body injury and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 regular season. Head Coach Kris Knoblach stated he is hopeful the 32-year-old can return in early November. Hyman is just one season removed from a 54-goal campaign in 2023-24 and will hope to get off to a hot start when he is able to return early in the season.

Levi was once viewed as one of the top goaltending prospects in hockey, but has struggled to find a foothold in the NHL. The Sabres made it clear there was no guaranteed spot for Levi in Buffalo to start 2025-26 when they signed Alex Lyon in free agency. Levi, who was 25-13-4 with a 2.20 GAA and .919 SV% in 42 AHL games last season, will have to continue to earn his spot in the NHL. Over the span of three seasons, he's got 17-17-2 with a 3.29 GAA and .894 SV% in 39 NHL games.

Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.

Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.

Stillman has been an effective depth player for multiple organizations in his six-year career, stepping in when called upon, splitting time between the NHL and AHL. The 27-year-old defenseman has 26 points (4G / 22A) in 163 career NHL games.

Bouchard has established himself as one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL and has earned a four-year contract extension worth $10.5 million AAV. The 25-year-old Bouchard had 67 points (14G / 53A) in 82 games with the Oilers last season. He has scored an impressive 55 combined points (13G / 42A) in 47 playoff games over the previous two postseasons.

The Oilers acquired Kapanen from the St. Louis Blues via waivers last season and have signed him to a one-year, $1.3 million contract. The 28-year-old Kapanen had 13 points (5G / 8A) in 57 games with the Oilers last season and made an impact in the playoffs, tallying six points (3G / 3A) in 12 games.

Frederic was acquired from the Bruins at the trade deadline but only appeared in one regular season game due to injury. He obviously made an impression on the organization during their postseason run, where he had four points (1G / 3A), 22 SOG and 85 hits in 22 games. The eight-year deal helped keep Frederic's AAV down, but it's a lot of term for a player that was on-pace for just 21 points last season.

Kapanen was a healthy scratch for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, but he will replace Viktor Arvidsson in the lineup for Game 6. Kapanen has picked up three assists in four games during the series.

Kapanen played well in Game 4, recording an assist, but was limited to only 8:36 time-on-ice. He will likely be a healthy scratch on Saturday for Game 5, with Viktor Arvidsson drawing into the lineup as his replacement.

Nugent-Hopkins was also a game-time decision for Game 3 but managed to suit up and play a lower-than-average 15:34 TOI. The 32-year-old former first overall pick has excelled throughout this year's postseason, with five goals, 18 points and a +6 plus/minus in 19 games played.