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Marek: Could Oilers offer sheet RFA sniper Pavel Dorofeyev for revenge?
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Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
May 21, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: May 21, 2026, 18:14 EDT
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Would the Edmonton Oilers try to enact revenge on the Vegas Golden Knights? 
Host of Daily Faceoff’s The Sheet, Jeff Marek, sparked loads of conversation with a “chaotic” idea on whether the Oilers would offer sheet Pavel Dorofeyev. This would be in response to their Nevada rivals so far withholding permission to talk to ousted head coach Bruce Cassidy. 
The leading goal scorer of these playoffs is Dorofeyev, who’s scored 10 goals so far. He is a restricted free agent needing a huge raise from his $1.835 million deal, and the Golden Knights will be tight against the salary cap, depending on whether they elect to re-sign Rasmus Andersson. 
Marek wondered if the Oilers could sign Dorofeyev to a two-year contract worth $11.9 million per season. If the Golden Knights didn’t match the offer, they’d receive two first-round picks, a second-rounder, and a third-rounder. 
Those picks could be future Edmonton first-rounders in 2028 and 2029, according to PuckPedia, and wouldn’t need to re-acquire their 2026 first rounder, which is held by the San Jose Sharks.
Dorofeyev scored a career high 37 goals and 64 points in 2025-26. It’s the 25-year-old’s second consecutive season scoring 35-plus goals. 
The Oilers head coaching search has been quiet. So far, they’ve been granted permission to talk to former Leafs boss Craig Berube, who won a Stanley Cup in 2019, coaching the St. Louis Blues. Otherwise, they seem to be in a holding pattern waiting for Cassidy.
Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon held a press conference before Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche. He said they are focused on the playoffs right now, and that Cassidy understands the position they’re in.
“Regarding Bruce Cassidy, teams have asked for permission to speak with Bruce,” said McCrimmon. “We’ve been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the teams have respected that. I’ve spoken with Bruce. He understands this as well.” 
Earlier Tuesday, the NHL Coaches Association issued a rare statement calling the situation “unprecedented.”

Offer sheet history

There has not been a successful offer sheet since the Blues signed two Oilers in Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway in 2024. The cap-strapped Oilers elected not to match either contract.
Marek’s idea follows the revenge angle some believe the Carolina Hurricanes took with the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs offer sheeted Sebastian Aho in July 2019, but the deal was matched by the Canes. Two years later, Carolina signed Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a former third overall pick, to a one-year contract worth $6.1 million. Montreal chose not to match.
Social media accounts for Carolina gloated about the revenge.

It’s out there

Here’s my take: this is a Looney Tunes idea. Fun, but crazy. Maybe even stupid.
The Oilers would love to add a top-six winger, and I’m sure clap back to the Golden Knights if they chose to never give permission on Cassidy. But arming the Golden Knights with that volume of draft capital just allows them to turn around and fill those gaps.
It’s a full drain of the Oilers assets that doesn’t address defensive or goaltending needs.
I’ll pass on that one…
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. 

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