Former Oilers on New Teams in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

This summer was another one full of changes for the Edmonton Oilers, both in coaching and player personnel. With new faces coming in, several players from the 2025-26 team have found new homes for this season. It will be strange to see some guys in new uniforms, whether they were with the team for a short time or their whole career to this point. It will also be interesting to watch how they fit in with a different organization.

The Oilers said goodbye to Darnell Nurse, Jack Roslovic, Adam Henrique, Curtis Lazar, Noah Philp, Connor Ingram, Roby Jarventie, and Calvin Pickard at the end of the season. These players exited either via trade, signed to other teams as free agents, or remain unsigned. The team also lost a few pieces during last season due to trades and releases, so the opening night lineup in 2026-27 will really be a new look compared to last. Let’s look at how these players listed will fit or could be a fit with new teams.

Darnell Nurse – San Jose Sharks

For the first time since being drafted by Edmonton in 2013, Darnell Nurse will play for a different team. He was traded on July 1 to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a pair of defensemen and now has the chance for a fresh start. He posted 24 points in a full 82-game campaign last season, and despite the defensive metrics telling an uneven story, he was a workhorse in his Oilers tenure and can still improve.

The Sharks have a very young core and are looking to take the next step in their build towards being a contender. They added Jacob Trouba to join Nurse on the back end and provide some toughness and veteran leadership. I can see Nurse playing big minutes and being an important piece of San Jose’s blue line. His experience will be valuable for young guys like Sam Dickinson looking to take the next step. He will also be a nice addition to the offence, likely playing some kind of role on one of the power-play units.

Jack Roslovic – Toronto Maple Leafs

Jack Roslovic was a great surprise for the Oilers’ offence when they signed him shortly after last season began. He tallied 21 goals and 36 points in the regular season and added an element of speed and touch the team needed up front. The Maple Leafs are looking to reload after missing the playoffs last season, and Roslovic could be a sneaky good weapon alongside the likes of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and company.

Roslovic has a rocket of a shot and can pick a spot. He shot 14.9% and 15.8% in the last two seasons and is a three-time 20-goal scorer. He could easily find his way onto a couple power plays and four-on-four situations with his style of play. He’ll be a great overall addition for the Maple Leafs if they can find a solid role and pick a couple good linemates for him.

Calvin Pickard – Minnesota Wild

It was a rather questionable move when the Minnesota Wild signed Calvin Pickard, given the team has an elite tandem already. If they decide to move on from one of them, though, Pickard will be ready to assume the backup role. He struggled last season in Edmonton, recording a .871 save percentage (SV%) and 3.68 goals-against average (GAA) in 16 appearances. He has been around a long time, though and has played some good hockey at times, making him a strong addition to the goalie room if he gets an opportunity.

Both goalies in Minnesota are young and still on the rise. If they decide to move on from one, Pickard would play a vital role in mentoring and developing the other while also backing him up. I believe he still has the potential to post a .900 SV% as a backup and win a team a few games. The Wild will be contenders yet again this season, so having a tight defence and goaltending will be pivotal.

Remaining Free Agents

Adam Henrique: The 36-year-old was a vital piece of the last few playoff runs for the Oilers. His faceoff prowess and smart puck play would make him a great addition to a few locker rooms around the league. He may have lost a step since he came into the league in 2010, but he still has tools and experience that are valuable.

Curtis Lazar: Lazar played 45 games for the Oilers last season, and his minutes were down; however, the drive is still very much there. He is hard on pucks and can play a solid depth role for any team that may be looking to round out their forward group. Offence isn’t really his game, but killing penalties and playing situational hockey has been his strong suit on the multitude of teams he has been on.

Noah Philp: Philp retired from professional hockey earlier this month after appearing in 30 games over two seasons with the Oilers and two more with the Carolina Hurricanes. He scored two goals and five points in his career. He had recently signed with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL); however, decided to call it a career.

Connor Ingram: The Oilers’ playoff starter has yet to sign a contract for the upcoming season. He played a very solid regular season for the team, recording a .899 SV% and 2.60 GAA, but struggled a bit in the postseason. I believe he could be a stellar backup or even a part-time starter and share the net with someone in the right situation. We’ll see if anyone takes a chance on him as training camp approaches.

Roby Järventie: Jäventie is an interesting case for Edmonton. He is a restricted free agent with the Oilers having the rights to him, but neither side has indicated any contract is forthcoming and Jäventie has made other arrangements for the future. He signed a two-year deal with HC Ambri Piotta of the National League (NL) in Switzerland back in May. If Edmonton doesn’t sign him, he will be headed overseas. Järventie is still a young prospect with potential, so all the best to him and hopefully we see him back in the NHL someday.

We will see how things really shake out with these ex-Oilers when the season gets underway in just over a month.