Oilers 2025 Free Agents, Draft Targets, Offseason Guide After NHL Final Loss

The Edmonton Oilers have come short of a Stanley Cup for a second straight season.

The Florida Panthers ended the Oilers' championship hopes on Tuesday by clinching the Cup in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

The Oilers have been unable to build a championship roster around Connor McDavid in the decade since he was selected at the 2015 NHL draft.

Falling short of the ultimate goal despite a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final could potentially impact Oilers captain's decision to sign an extension in Edmonton this summer.

Here's a look at some of the difficult decisions the Oilers will have to consider this offseason as the franchise decides how to position itself to finally take the next step in 2026.

Free Agents

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Contract information from PuckPedia

Unrestricted free agents: Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, Kasperi Kapanen, Trent Frederic, John Klingberg

Restricted free agents: Evan Bouchard

Perry, who turned 40 in May, told reporters ahead of the Stanley Cup Final he plans to return for a 21st NHL season.

He signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract to play his second season with the Oilers, then tied Leon Draisaitl for the team lead through three rounds with seven playoff goals.

If Perry's playoff contributions earn him another run with the Oilers, expect another relatively affordable one-year deal for one of the oldest players in the NHL.

John Klingberg returned from resurfacing surgery on both hips to be a positive presence on the Oilers' bottom pairing during the playoffs. His 33rd birthday in August and his injury history will limit the term and money he can expect to receive on his next contract.

Jeff Skinner played this season on a one-year, $3 million prove-it deal, but was pushed out of the Oilers' lineup during the playoffs by Evander Kane. He hasn't seemed like an effective fit in Edmonton and could be heading elsewhere this offseason.

Connor Brown just finished out his second season in Edmonton on a one-year, $1 million deal. The 31-year-old had a productive postseason on the bottom six, so the Oilers might consider another short-term and lower-value deal to bring Brown back for a third season.

Kapanen, a midseason waiver claim from St. Louis Blues, was a regular healthy scratch before he scored the series-clinching goal in Round 2 to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights and send the Oilers to the Western Conference Finals. His playoff contributions could potentially earn him another shot at a regular spot on the Oilers roster.

Frederic was acquired at the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins. The Oilers will need to weigh his playoff role as a third-line winger with his injury issues and decline in production in Boston.

Bouchard is a restricted free agent under arbitration this offseason. After his point-per-game campaign and fifth-place Norris Trophy finish in 2023-24, he played a key role in the Oilers' playoff run for a second straight season. He could be seeking a significant raise over the $3.9 AAV he earned on his previous contract.

All of these upcoming negotiations will pale in importance in comparison to McDavid's, who will be eligible to sign an extension starting July 1. He will otherwise become eligible for free agency next July.

Draft Targets

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Draft information from PuckPedia

2025 Oilers Draft Picks

Round 1: 0

Round 2: 0

Round 3: 1

Round 4: 0

Round 5: 0

Round 6: 1

Round 7: 1

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The Oilers have a highly-regarded prospect in their system in Matt Savoie, who just completely a successful first full AHL season. The organization has another potential future NHL winger in 2024 first-rounder Sam O'Reilly, who recently won the Memorial Cup with the OHL's London Knights.

Like any perennial playoff contender, however, Edmonton's prospect pool gets thin after that.

The Oilers gave up this year's first-round pick for the chance to draft O'Reilly last season, meaning general manager Stan Bowman is set to wait until the third round to make his first selection.

Getting a top-end winger to play alongside either McDavid or Draisaitl should be a top priority for the Oilers this season. Forwards ready to make the jump to the NHL in the immediate future, however, might not still be on the board by Round 3.

Will Bowman consider trading up in the draft? The Oilers have already mortgaged a significant chunk of their future draft stock to build this roster. Getting another high-round pick to add talent around McDavid and Draisaitl could be worth the cost.