Re: Jason Dickinson and EDM, hearing “very positive movement towards reaching a deal.” As he said at exit interviews, Dickinson’s family quite liked EDM. Should be a big week in EDM, with coaching hire and likely at least 1 UFA announced.
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‘Very positive movement’ towards Oilers re-signing Dickinson: Spector
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Jun 20, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 20, 2026, 18:10 EDT
The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly working towards locking up one of their pending free agents.
According to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector on Saturday afternoon, the Oilers and Jason Dickinson are talking about an extension. He’s hearing there is “very positive movement towards a deal.”
Acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks near the Trade Deadline with Colton Dach, Dickinson played 17 regular-season games with Edmonton before a lower-body injury derailed his year. He gutted out four of the six playoff games against Anaheim, notably scoring twice in a Game 1 victory, but was not healthy in the most important of games.
However, there’s no doubt he provided what was advertised after being acquired.
If a new deal is signed, fans will be focused on both the term and the dollars.
Dickinson will turn 31 in July and is coming off a two-year contract worth $4.25 million. The Oilers sit with roughly $14.5 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia, but hope to gain more in a Darnell Nurse trade.
While Edmonton lacks the defensive strengths Dickinson provides, how much money can they allocate for a third-line centre? Especially one who doesn’t bring much offence. Only once has he scored double-digit goals.
The organization must debate the length and how they project Josh Samanski’s development.
Connor Murphy update
Whether he’ll be a on team with Connor Murphy is also up in the air. Spector added in a follow-up tweet: “There are ongoing discussions and the new coach hire is not the primary factor for Murphy, we are told.”
Re: Connor Murphy, and EDM, there are ongoing discussions and the new coach hire is not the primary factor for Murphy, we are told. Bowman has been quietly working the market beneath all the coaching/Nurse drama. Let’s see what pans out.
Murphy’s importance to the blueline grows with the team’s intention to trade his defence partner in Nurse after being acquired in March.
The 6-foot-4, stay-at-home defenceman is a shot suppressor and good in his own zone, qualities the Oilers need. The 33-year-old is coming off a $4.4 million salary. The free agent market is weak, meaning blueliners like Murphy could be sought after.
Jack Roslovic and Adam Henrique are both expected to test free agency. Dave Pagnotta added Kasperi Kapanen to that list on Friday, but overall noise on that front is quiet.
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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