The Edmonton Oilers have a delicate line to teeter this offseason.
After winning the Western Conference each of the last two seasons, the Oilers are as well-equipped as anyone not named the Florida Panthers to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2026. Edmonton has already dealt forward Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks as they look for other moves to complement Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatil.
The Oilers are reportedly not necessarily done doing business with Vancouver, either. NHL Insider David Pagnotta “wouldn’t be shocked if the Oilers entered the Brock Boeser race.”
Boeser, 28, is an unrestricted free agent after wrapping up his three-year, $19.95 million contract with the Canucks. The Oilers have a little over $12.3 million in cap space and could dedicate a significant chunk of that to Boeser.
The impending Evan Bouchard deal complicates things, and the pair is likely too costly for Edmonton right now. But, should they get creative with their money (can they move Darnell Nurse?), Boeser would be a natural fit.
The right winger recorded 25 goals and 50 points in 2024-25 amid the off-the-ice drama and on-ice disappointment in Vancouver. It was a down year, but he also netted 40 goals and 73 points in 2023-24 and is one of the elite finishers in the NHL.
Especially because he is a right-handed shot, he would fit seamlessly on either McDavid’s or Draisaitl’s wing. Boeser is not going to drive the play like other top wingers, but his hands and knack for clutch goals would be an upgrade over Corey Perry (this is nothing against Perry, but more of a praise of Boeser’s talent).
The money is not perfect, but if the Oilers feel like Boeser gives them a better chance at competing and retaining McDavid, they should pull the trigger.
