A big Free Agency day keeps on rolling here in Edmonton, and the Oilers have checked another piece of depth business off the list. The team announced Wednesday afternoon that they have re-signed forward Max Jones to a one-year contract worth $850,000, bringing Oil to the Max back for another twirl after splitting the 2025-26 season between Edmonton and Bakersfield.

If you’re a fan of Max Jones like I am, you’re probably pretty pumped right now that the Oilers were able to bring him back for $150K less than his last deal. Jones, 28, appeared in 21 games with the Oilers last season, registering three goals and two assists for five points while finishing with a +3 rating and nine PIMs. Oil to the Max also got into 39 games with the Bakersfield Condors, where he produced 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points to go along with 61 penalty minutes.

In other words, this is the kind of depth signing that’s not going to make anyone freak out on socials, but it is the kind of move that gives the Oilers another solid depth option at a number that makes sense for their situation. Consider it another guy signed by Stan Bowman with having to overpay. At $850K, Jones comes back as a cheap option on the wing who can push for a gig on the fourth line, adds some size, and give the depth chart a little more sass around the edges.

If you remember, Jones originally landed in Edmonton ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, coming over from the Boston Bruins along with Trent Frederic and the rights to Petr Hauser. In exchange, the Oilers gave the Bruins Max Wanner, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft that became Will Moore, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft that became Zach Wooten. And from my side of the laptop screen, having the Oilers retain both of those players just makes the trade look better in hindsight. We can argue about Freddie, but the trade is actually looking alright.

But in case you don’t remember your MAXIMUM HISTORY, Jones spent a good chunk of the 2024-25 season with the Providence Bruins, where he put up 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points in 38 AHL games. He did get a cup of coffee in the NHL as well, getting into 19 games with the Oilers after the trade, cashing in one goal and one assist in what was usually minimal playing time. If you remember, some of his first games as an Oiler were a lot of fun. He was throwing his body around, crushing dudes, and looking like he could be a menace for us with a little luck.

Originally selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round (24th overall) at the 2016 NHL Draft, Jones has played 305 career NHL games, and registered 35 goals and 34 assists for 69 points (nice). Listed at 6’3″ and 216 pounds, there is a path for him to stick on this roster. He can skate well, he forechecks hard, throws his body around, can be hard to play against, and has enough touch to chip in a goal or two from time to time. For the Oilers, this is a depth bet on a player they already know, and there’s nothing wrong with that when the guy comes it at less than they were paying him before.

We all know that it’s the big dogs who get most of the lifting done, but a long season always finds a way to test a team’s depth. Bringing Jones back gives Edmonton another option who will probably move up-and-down between the NHL and AHL if needed, compete for fourth-line minutes, add to the grit chart, and ensure that there are guys fighting for jobs when camp rolls around.

Not every signing will come with a marching band and a confetti cannon. Sometimes, the important part is keeping useful pieces in the mix without chewing up cap space, and that’s exactly what I think Stan Bowman and the Oilers got done here.