Oilers begin off-season with big signings
Posted July 2, 2024 4:28 pm.
Last Updated July 2, 2024 6:53 pm.
From heartbreak — to new hope — in less than a week. Seven days after losing the Stanley Cup in Game 7 — the Edmonton Oilers made a big splash in free agency, inking 13 players.
In addition to depth signings — Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Adam Henrique, are all coming back on team-friendly contracts.
“Yeah, maybe you sacrifice playing time or even, I guess, money at the end of the day but to have that opportunity to win and to play in Edmonton, in front of those fans, was special for me,” said Henrique.
The Oilers also signed scoring wingers Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, adding offensive punch to an already prolific group.
“It’s going to be really fun. I think the group is great and they have something really going there,” said Arvidsson.
“It’s a great hockey team. And I’d like to sort of be a part of that,” added Skinner.
It wasn’t long ago that Edmonton — a relatively small and cold city — struggled to attract free agents. The man making the deals Monday credited superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and former GM Ken Holland for changing that. Coming close to a Cup didn’t hurt either.
“Kenny Holland built a really good culture here over the last 5 years, a winning culture. So it’s become a destination place in many ways and when the team is this competitive, that clearly helps,” said Jeff Jackson, CEO of Hockey Operations.
Leaving the team are gritty players Warren Foegele who signed in LA and Vincent Desharnais who’s off to Vancouver.
In Edmonton, the tinkering is still not done. The Oilers are $2.5 million over the NHL salary cap. They’ll likely have to trade someone to balance the books.
Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway are restricted free agents, but both are expected to be back.
“Looking forward to next year. Here we go Oilers! Here we go!” said one Oilers fan.
Another adding, “I really feel like next season is going to be our year for the Stanley Cup.”
Edmonton begins a new quest for a Cup at Rogers Place against Winnipeg on October 9th.
