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Oilers activate Kapanen to play Tuesday, Jarry placed on LTIR
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jan 6, 2026, 20:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 6, 2026, 20:12 EST
The Edmonton Oilers made multiple moves to manoeuvre the salary cap ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Nashville Predators.
Kasperi Kapanen has been activated from Long Term Injured Reserve and will suit up tonight for the first time since October 19. To activate Kapanen, the Oilers placed goaltender Tristan Jarry on LTIR.
Leon Draisaitl spoke Tuesday about having Kapanen back in the fold, playing on his right wing.
“It was tough to see him go down the first time around when he was coming back, so I think we’re all excited for his energy, more so excited for him as a human being, and it’s been a long year for him,” said Draisaitl.
With the number of Oilers’ injuries, the salary cap has been a balancing act for general manager Stan Bowman.
The Oilers have $3.713 million in cap space at the moment, according to PuckPedia, and Walman’s cap hit is $3.4 million.
Now that Jarry’s $5.375 million is sheltered in LTIR, the Oilers could bring back Jake Walman, who is nearing a return to the lineup, and still avoid a major roster decision.
Jarry skated on Tuesday morning. His injury timeline remains mid-January.
Once Jarry is ready to return, the Oilers will have either Calvin Pickard ($1 million) or Connor Ingram ($1.15 million) they can send down to the AHL, or go through waivers, to help clear cap space.
But a trade that sends Andrew Mangiapane’s full cap hit of $3.6 million is the most likely way to become cap compliant, since Riley Stillman and a goalie decision still leave them well over the cap.
Linked to several trade rumours, Mangiapane is a healthy scratch tonight against the Predators, along with fellow summer signing Trent Frederic. That’s $7.45 million in salary scratched.
This will be just the seventh game of the season for Kapanen, who suffered multiple lower-body injuries. On the season, he’s registered two assists.
Ingram will start in goal.
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