Oilers Thoughts: Two players I’d invite to training camp on a PTO

The Edmonton Oilers have had a quiet free agency period, with middle-six winger Andrew Mangiapane being the most notable addition.

The team lost a handful of contributors from last season and, ahead of training camp for the 2025-26 season, might be looking for extra competition. This organisation has been known over the years to bring players to camp on tryout contracts, with Alex Chiasson and Davin Shore among the players to earn contracts after showing well on a PTO.

Could they do the same this fall?

Ilya Samsonov

Many Oilers fans are clamouring for a change in goal after another season falling short with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard between the pipes. The dream of replacing Skinner was always going to be difficult due to the lack of quality options available. However, making a change in Pickard’s spot is a more realistic idea.

Ilya Samsonov didn’t have a spectacular season in Vegas, posting a .891 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average. In comparison, Pickard had a .900 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average, while also playing seven more games. Pickard also performed well for Edmonton in the playoffs, posting a 7-1-0 record.

Where Samsonov stood above Pickard statistically was in goals saved above expected. According to moneypuck.com, the Russian netminder had 0.6 goals saved above expected, while Pickard was much lower at -9.1. He ranked higher than Skinner, too, who finished at -1.5. It was a bounce-back year for Samsonov after allowing eight goals more than expected in his final season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One potential wrinkle: Samsonov’s agent is Donald Meehan. Meehan also represents Jeff Skinner, and Oilers fans know how that story ended in Edmonton. The two players play drastically different positions, but perhaps the relationship needs mending before Meehan sends another client to Edmonton.

AFP projects Samsonov could get a contract worth $2 million for a season, about $200,000 more than last year. He’s not worth $2 million in the role he plays, which is why he remains unsigned. Perhaps he can come to Edmonton on a PTO and create positive competition. A fresh face between the pipes could benefit the team, too.