This summer, the Edmonton Oilers were quite successful in acquiring quality players at team-friendly prices, keeping Adam Henrique and Corey Perry on long-term contracts. With an eye toward increasing his worth in 2025, Jeff Skinner inked a one-year contract with the Oilers as well, seeking to establish chemistry with a strong offensive core. Such is the lot of a competing team that hopes to win the Stanley Cup each and every season. Are there any players whose contracts are about to expire who could consider Edmonton for the upcoming season?
This season, Claude Giroux is a player to keep an eye on. Giroux has been a reliable member of the Ottawa Senators since 2022, but the club has fallen short of expectations, missing the playoffs and not making the kind of development that was expected. Giroux could be losing his patience at the age of 36.
Giroux stated on the Coming In Hot Podcast that he hasn’t talked to the Senators about or given any thought to signing a new deal. In order to perhaps leave his options open in case the Senators continue to struggle, he would rather concentrate on the present campaign. Around the time of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, Giroux may be a desirable choice for a contender due to his $6.5 million salary in the last year of his deal. His offensive production and expertise, along with a potential $3.25 million retained contract, might be alluring to clubs trying to bolster their squad. Though he’s probably too wealthy for the Oilers to take on this season, Edmonton may be a possibility if LTIR released some cap space or if a third team expressed interest.
Brent Burns, a defenseman who has played for the Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks in the past, is currently 39 years old and may be ready for a move if the Hurricanes keep losing. Burns still hasn’t won a Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes’ standing as Cup contenders is in doubt this season due to the loss of important players like Brady Skjei, Jake Guentzel, and Brett Pesce.
Burns continues to be a useful player, putting in a lot of time and producing good results. Considering his background and previous earnings, this season may be his greatest opportunity to win a title. The team that could provide him that chance may be the Edmonton Oilers. The real questions are: would the Oilers want a 40-year-old, even in a supporting position, and would he accept a significant pay cut from his current $5 million salary ($8 million cap hit)?
Throughout his NHL career, Taylor Hall has relocated frequently. His career has been completely reshaped by injury issues and his mentorship with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2025, he will be trying to earn a position on an NHL club, but with a smaller role and a reduced cap charge. It shouldn’t surprise anybody that he would be interested in rejoining the Edmonton Oilers while they’re still competitive, having spent years with them before they emerged as a contender.
Could he play a role as a left-winger in the Oilers’ top nine on a one-year, inexpensive contract? Although he wouldn’t have much opportunity to play in Edmonton, he may still be useful in the correct position. As his career develops, he’s headed in the wrong route because he wants to win.
