Three Key Players the Oilers Should Re-Sign This Offseason

The Edmonton Oilers are at a crossroads as the 2026 NHL Draft approaches and free agency looms on the horizon. With several veteran contracts nearing expiration, the team faces crucial decisions about their roster. While bolstering their goaltending and potentially adding a top-six forward are top priorities, the importance of strengthening the bottom-six and defensive depth cannot be overlooked.

In the past, the Oilers have let valuable players slip through their fingers, often regretting those decisions. To avoid a repeat of past mistakes, here are three players the Oilers should strongly consider bringing back this offseason.

First on the list is Connor Murphy, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2026 trade deadline. The 33-year-old right-shot defenseman quickly established himself as a reliable presence on Edmonton’s blue line, contributing physicality, strong penalty-killing skills, and dependable top-four minutes. Murphy has expressed a desire to stay with the team, which is a positive sign. He not only excels individually but also elevates the play of his defensive partner, Darnell Nurse, allowing Nurse to thrive in a style that suits him. With a projected salary of $3.5M–$4M AAV on a short-term deal, re-signing Murphy would provide stability without straining the budget.

Another significant mid-season addition from Chicago, Jason Dickinson, proved his worth in a shutdown third-line role. Although an injury in the playoffs limited his contributions, his strong defensive play, faceoff skills, and effective two-way game have made him a valuable asset. Fans saw firsthand the gap left in the lineup against the Ducks when Dickinson was unavailable. Additionally, his history as a 22-goal scorer indicates he still possesses scoring ability. Re-signing Dickinson, potentially on a 2–3 year deal in the $4M-$5M range, would be a wise investment, especially if it comes in under $4 million.

Lastly, Kasperi Kapanen has made the most of his opportunity after being picked up off waivers. While expectations were modest, he has proven to be a solid addition, providing speed and scoring depth. Despite some health issues last season, Kapanen has shown he can keep pace with top players while being gritty enough to fit into a bottom-six role. His penalty-killing abilities and secondary scoring would address a pressing need for the Oilers. Kapanen has also indicated a strong interest in returning, making him a low-risk, high-reward option. A one- or two-year deal in the $1.5M–$2M range would offer excellent value compared to chasing similar players in free agency.

Bringing back Murphy, Dickinson, and Kapanen would not only reward players who have earned their keep but also prevent the Oilers from having to search for replacements in a potentially crowded free-agent market. General Manager Stan Bowman faces some tough decisions, but these three players should be at the forefront of his priority list.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.