The writing appears to be on the wall for a couple of Edmonton Oilers free agents, who are set to test free agency, according to Dave Pagnotta.

The editor of The Fourth Period appeared on Oilersnation Everyday on Friday to discuss Oilers business and echoed reports that Jack Roslovic and Adam Henrique will sign elsewhere this summer.

But Kasperi Kapanen, whose tumultuous regular season ended with a strong playoff performance, may also test the market.

More tangible conversations appear to be happening with defenceman Connor Murphy, who the Oilers are going back and forth with. There have been some rumblings on Jason Dickinson on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, but otherwise it’s been quiet.

Connor Ingram’s name is scarcely being mentioned.

Kapanen scored four goals and six points in the post-season on the only consistent Edmonton line against Anaheim, playing alongside Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin. However, he was healthy for just 41 games during the season, the lowest games he’s played in a non-COVID year since 2017-18. He finished with eight goals and 17 points.

It’s worth noting Kapanen’s career high in goals and points came under Mike Babcock in 2018-19 with Toronto.

How much that relationship, or lack thereof, affects Kapanen’s decision is unclear. He is a new father, will turn 30 in July, and is coming off consecutive one-year contracts of $1.3 million and $1 million, respectively.

Previously, Kapanen’s two contracts had three-year terms with $3.2 million annually.

In a rising salary cap world, Kapanen may be looking to cash in on a strong playoff performance, the last memory onlookers would have. But that success came on a line with the Oilers that had chemistry.

Otherwise, reports of whether the Oilers see the Finnish winger in their long-term plans have been quiet.

The structure of the Darnell Nurse trade is the great unknown, but teams around the league are looking at how he can slot in as a second-pair defenceman. Pagnotta shared similar information that corroborates Elliotte Friedman’s report Wednesday that the Oilers believe they won’t have to retain much to make the deal.

Of course, Nurse has to agree as well.

A player with a $3.5-$4 million cap hit is in the cards. Pagnotta wondered if that’s how the Oilers acquire a third-line centre if they don’t get the Dickinson route.

Nurse is number eight on his trade board. He believes Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Jose, and Los Angeles are interested.

Sergei Bobrovsky isn’t looking for a big haircut in term or salary as he approaches free agency. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes the 37-year-old netminder is looking for a six or seven-year deal in the $40 million range.

What Florida does with the most accomplished goalie set to hit the market could set the wheels in motion for other moves, like the growing rumours surrounding Connor Hellebuyck.

The Oilers don’t seem to be in the mix. The Fourth Period’s trade board has the Oilers linked to Jordan Binnington. Sam Montembeault’s name has percolated from a French outlet.

Still, “I think they’re stuck with Jarry,” said Pagnotta. “If you need the extra cap space, you send him down, you go get a guy like Binnington, or go sign Bob or something.” 

It also assumes Stan Bowman and the Oilers brass want to move on from Jarry after trading Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a second-round pick to acquire him.

Binnington has one year left at $6 million against the cap. While relations may have been frosty in the past with the Oilers and Blues, after the two offer sheets by Doug Armstrong wrestled Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway out of Edmonton, it’s a new hand at the wheel in St. Louis. Alex Steen is now the GM.

For most of Jake DeBrusk’s career, he’s been linked to the Oilers. Either through the family connections to Edmonton, or the scoring, physical winger archetype of his game.

Pagnotta says DeBrusk has made it known he wants to be moved and doesn’t want part of the rebuild in Vancouver. The 2026-27 season would be the third year in a seven-year contract worth $5.5 million against the cap, and also the last he would have a no-move clause. That downgrades to a 15-team no-trade list in the last four years.

He’s coming off a 23-goal season, his fifth 20-plus goal campaign. However, 19 of those goals were on the power play. Would he fit on Edmonton without getting power play time?

Columbus, Ottawa, Seattle, and Winnipeg would also be interested.

LeaseBusters is Canada’s premier lease takeover marketplace, helping drivers get out of their current vehicle leases without costly penalties or negative equity. Instead of paying thousands to break a lease, sellers connect with qualified buyers ready to take it over—saving money and avoiding financial stress. Buyers benefit from shorter-term commitments and often better monthly payments, while dealerships retain a replacement customer and leasing companies keep contracts active. It’s a smarter, more efficient solution for everyone involved. Four parties, four wins—only with LeaseBusters. For more information, check out www.LeaseBusters.com.