Oilers Re-Sign Kasperi Kapanen to 1-Year Deal

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Oilers Re-Sign Kasperi Kapanen to 1-Year Deal

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 6:34 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year deal. The contract is worth $2.6 million. THe Oilers wrote in a PR release:

“Kapanen (6’1”, 194 lbs, 29) returns to Oil Country for his third season with the club after skating in 41 games this past year notching eight goals and nine assists, 14 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +5. He also led Oilers in goals during the postseason with four. Entering his 12th season in 2026-27, the right-shot Finnish winger has played 568 career games with Toronto, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Edmonton tallying 98 goals and 141 assists for 239 points. He’s added another 12 goals and 13 assists through 56 playoff games.”

KAPPY HOUR EXTENDED ⏰

The #Oilers have re-signed forward Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year contract with an AAV of $2.6 million. pic.twitter.com/QpdQ2RYNNX
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 1, 2026

During a media call on Wednesday, GM Stan Bowman said when asked about the status of talks with the forward: “We have had ongoing dialogue with today and in the weeks leading up to today. It’s tough to thread that needle sometimes with the cap space… Now we’ve been able to add a little bit and we’re having conversations. Not just with Kapanen but other forwards.”

In other words, they couldn’t get the deal done they wanted to until Darnell Nurse had been traded. Once the Oilers cleared up the $9.25 million in cap space, they had room to sign Ryan Shea to a five-year, $4 million deal. They also got the Kapanen deal done.

Kapanen provides speed, top-nine depth, and penalty killing to the Oilers. Despite an injury-riddled 2025-26 campaign, he had eight goals and 17 points.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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