With that said, there are still some intriguing forwards, largely grizzled veterans, who could be attracting teams that have a few million dollars burning a hole in their pocket.

Would any of these names intrigue you as potential targets of the Edmonton Oilers?

Anthony Mantha

Mantha entered July 1 as the highest unrestricted free agent point earner in 2025-26, scoring a career-high 33 goals and 64 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He stayed healthy after playing just 13 games the year before in Calgary, suffering a torn ACL in his knee.

The show-me deal he signed in PIT was just $2.5 million against the salary cap, but Mantha earned an additional $2 million in performance bonuses, with $250,000 given for every 10 games he suited up.

GM Kyle Dubas relayed that Mantha was “clear in his plans” on what his contract expectations are. He turns 32 in September. This is likely his best earning opportunity.

Teams may be scared off from giving Mantha term due to injury concerns that have followed him throughout his career, or his ridiculously high 21.3 per cent shooting percentage.

But he has four seasons where he’s scored 20-plus goals and 40-plus points.

Patrick Kane

Kane is the greatest American hockey player of all-time, with three Stanley Cups and a Calder, Art Ross, Hart, and Conn Smythe Trophy on his resume – not to mention 1400 points.

But Kane is not on a legacy tour just yet. He produced terrific numbers as a 37-year-old in Detroit, scoring 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games last year. That’s the second-highest total of players available.

However, in the last decade, he’s only been on two playoff runs. Does he desire one more run?

Reports have linked Kane to his hometown Buffalo Sabres, while not shutting Detroit completely out of the mix. No deal is done.

His cap hit was $3 million on a one-year deal last off-season, while earning $3 million in bonuses out of a possible $4 million. Is Kane being patient, evaluating his options?

Claude Giroux

He’s still at it. Giroux is 38 years old and he produced, scoring 14 goals and 49 points last season, and played all 82 games.

He’s been in Ottawa for the past four seasons, but whether the Sens are willing to sign him again is unclear, as they have just a little over $5 million in cap space.

Age may be getting the better of Giroux, who turns 39 in January, as he played the lowest average ice-time at 16:18 per game. While he’s taking fewer draws year by year, Giroux had the highest faceoff win percentage in the NHL at 63.1 per cent.

Last year, he signed a one-year, $2 million deal with up to $2.75 million in performances bonuses.

Who snaps him up?

Vladimir Tarasenko

Another veteran looking for another payday is Tarasenko, who scored in a depth role in Minnesota to the tune of 23 goals and 47 points.

He recently switched agencies, which suggests he could be suiting up for his seventh team in five years, as the Wild have just $2.3 million in cap space.

Teams might be looking for value. Tarasenko might be looking for one last cash-in while he can, as he turns 35 in December.

Other forwards:

Players that will still attract attention are Eeli Tolvanen, Michael Bunting, Jamie Benn, Oscar Sundqvist, and James van Riemsdyk.

Connor Ingram

After going through personal and family struggles, Ingram salvaged his NHL career last season and became the Edmonton Oilers’ starting goalie last season.

Amongst free agent goaltenders this cycle who started more than five games, Ingram led the field with a .899 save percentage. Although there was interest in re-signing with the Oilers, plus rumours of the Senators, Ingram is still available.

Would New Jersey take a run at Ingram after dealing Jacob Markstrom away?

What about defencemen?

Well, what about the defenceman?

Pick your poison, or what’s left of it. John Klingberg and Logan Stanley would be two of the most familiar names available, while Carson Soucy, Nick Blankenburg, and Ben Hutton are also there.

Matt Grzelcyk popped off with an unexpected career high of 40 points in 2024-25, and the market was so scared to commit, that he took a one-year deal at a million bucks with Chicago late into the off-season. After a fairly ho-hum season, what does the future hold? He used to be paid $3.687 million with Boston a few years ago. Do teams believe there is value there?

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.