Professional tryout options for the Edmonton Oilers

As training camps start to loom closer, now is the time to examine potential professional tryout (PTO) options for the Edmonton Oilers. The current lineup seems pretty set; however, extra depth would be beneficial to the Oilers’ roster. They will have two rookies in the forward core and an unreliable goalie in net. With these situations in mind, Stan Bowman must at least consider some potential PTO options.

Let’s take a look at some choices available for the Oilers.

Max Pacioretty as a depth option

The former captain of the Montreal Canadiens remains a UFA. Pacioretty had a great run with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, especially in the playoffs. In 37 regular season games, Pacioretty recorded 13 points in 37 games. This basic stat line is not bad at all for a bottom-six forward.

His veteran presence in the lineup can be useful in stressful games. Pacioretty proved this last year in the playoffs. In 11 games, he posted three goals and eight points. The 36-year-old scored the clutch series-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in the first round. This was arguably the most significant goal of the Maple Leafs’ playoff run, as they won their second playoff series since 2004.

Pacioretty can be a valuable depth piece to the Oilers’ roster. If Matthew Savoie or Isaac Howard need time to develop their game, Pacioretty can easily step into their spot. The NHL veteran can bring some physicality into the lineup during intense games. In 37 games last year, he threw 105 hits. When the playoffs rolled around, he threw 61 hits in just 11 games. Pacioretty is a fantastic option if he can stay healthy. This was a bit of a problem last year, which caused him to miss a significant amount of time.

A contract for Pacioretty can be on the cheaper side. He signed with the Maple Leafs last offseason for $873,770. The forward earned that contract from a strong PTO in Toronto. All in all, a cheap option like this could be valuable to the Oilers down the stretch. Unfortunately, the Oilers currently lack cap space, which is why they should sign him to a PTO.

Bring back Klim Kostin

Another forward option for the Oilers is Klim Kostin. Of course, he was with the Oilers for the 2022–23 season and was an impressive addition. Kostin had the best season of his career that year, posting an 11-goal, 21-point campaign. Over the year, he became a fan favourite for many Oiler fans. During his time as an Oiler, he brought a lot of energy to the bottom-six. Kostin performed in the playoffs, recording three goals and two assists in 12 games, including a game-winning goal. I think he can be a valuable option to bring back to Oil Country on a PTO.

Like Pacioretty, Kostin would be a depth forward who can provide some physicality in the bottom-six. He could be a more affordable option than Pacioretty, as he offers a lower level of experience. The last contract for Kostin had a cap hit of $2M. This is quite expensive for him now, so an expected deal would be near league minimum of $775,000. Kostin was once a promising prospect who was drafted 31st overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. He had some good skills, so do you think it is worth the chance to sign Kostin to a PTO?

Could T.J. Brodie fill in for defence?

Veteran defenceman T.J. Brodie is best known for his days with the Calgary Flames. Here, he was a solid two-way defenceman who could block a lot of shots. His best days are definitely behind him, although he can still be a serviceable seventh defenceman. The Oilers currently have seven defencemen on their roster, so this move may not be a likely option. Troy Stecher has not been great in his time as an Oiler, so signing Brodie to a PTO could provide management with an opportunity to see who the better player is.

Brodie was bought out by the Chicago Blackhawks before the offseason started. He seriously struggled in Chicago, but this was not a surprise, as the Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the league. Brodie could get a much better opportunity to succeed in Edmonton. The 35-year-old is near the end of his career and would love a chance to go on a long playoff run. Brodie would sign for a cheap contract, especially considering the fact that he was recently bought out and remains a free agent. The Oilers do not need this PTO signing, although it could provide them with a chance to level up from Stecher.

Ilya Samsonov as a goaltending option

A goalie that the Oilers could still target is Ilya Samsonov. He spent the last year with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he posted a .891 save percentage with a 2.82 goals against average. There was recent news that former Oiler goalie Olivier Rodrigue signed in the KHL with Barys Astana. This opens up a spot on the Oilers’ goaltending depth chart.

As the season begins in under two months, do the Oilers have enough skill in net to start the season? Stuart Skinner has been incredibly inconsistent over the past two seasons, while Calvin Pickard is a certified backup goalie. Samsonov could come in on a PTO and make a serious push for the starting role.

A contract for Samsonov could be a bit of a problem. He had a cap hit of $1.8M with the Golden Knights last year, and the Oilers do not have the cap space to afford that. If this were to happen, the Oilers would have to move on from Skinner or Pickard, and potentially move another player. The Edmonton Oilers are in win-now mode, and they may only get so many chances at winning a Stanley Cup with this core.

Goaltending has been a serious problem for them—it needs to be fixed. Would bringing in a goalie like Samsonov be worth it? He had some great moments with the Leafs that proved how great he can be. He just needs a great team in front of him.