Transaction season has come early in Edmonton, as the club announced the signing of the Swedish Hockey League’s leading scorer, David Tomasek, to a one-year, $1.2-million contract.
Tomasek, 29, a right-shot centre who spent last season with Farjestad BK, drew in for 47 games last season, scoring 24 goals and 57 points. A native of Praha, Czechia, he had a five-point lead over the second-highest scorer in the SHL, while his 33 assists were tied with one other player.
This past season was his second with Farjestad, and in his first year he put up 25 goals and 45 points in 52 games.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman travelled to Sweden during the 4-Nations Face-Off break to “get eyes on Tomasek directly.”
#Oilers GM Stan Bowman traveled to Sweden during the #4Nations break to get eyes on Tomasek directly.
Going to be interesting to see if this low-risk bet pays off – Tomasek is 29, hasn't played in North America in 10 years and has switched European leagues six times since. https://t.co/YDL5klgzb2
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 2, 2025
Undrafted into the NHL and over the age of 28, Tomasek wasn’t subject to an entry-level contract, PuckPedia reported Wednesday. His contract will kick in next season.
The contract indicates that the Oilers feel Tomasek can compete for NHL minutes next season, and as highlighted by The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman, the buriable limit on AAV’s is $1.15-million, meaning if the team sent him to the AHL, $50,000 would remain on the big teams books.
Oilersnation’s Bruce Curlock called Tomasek a “powerful skater, but not a quick transition skater,” who reminds him that way of Noah Philp.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, meanwhile, called him a “good-sized centre who has produced at the top of the SHL but is also reliable defensively.” He added Tomasek is strong in the faceoff circle, at driving play and is competitive, and “should add to the Oilers’ depth down the middle.”
The Oilers also made the signing of German forward Josh Samanski official, announcing he inked a two-year entry-level contract. Edmonton also signed college defenceman Damien Carfagna to a two-year, entry-level contract earlier this week as the team continues to restock their cupboards.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
