Vladimir Tarasenko is still hunting for a contract, and the Edmonton Oilers just landed on the radar.
Elliotte Friedman said last week on his podcast that Edmonton could take a look at the winger this summer.
Tarasenko posted 23 goals with Minnesota last season before hitting the open market.
He's a 14-year veteran. That kind of resume doesn't sit unsigned for long without a reason.
Edmonton closed the season at 41-30-11, good for 93 points and a plus-13 goal differential.
The Oilers scored 282 goals but allowed 269, and a proven finisher on the wing fits a roster still chasing something bigger.
Would Tarasenko actually slot in next to Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl on the top six? That's the question Edmonton has to answer before it dials the phone.
Tampa Bay is circling the same free agent
Edmonton isn't the only team in the mix. NHL insider chatter has also linked Tarasenko to Tampa Bay, with one insider publicly pushing for the Lightning to land him.
Mike Babcock took over Edmonton's bench on June 23, 2026, so any decision on adding a veteran winger runs through a coaching staff still building its own identity.
Stan Bowman has run Edmonton's front office since July 2024, and he'd be the one signing off on a move like this.
Bringing in a 34-year-old scorer on a show-me deal makes sense for a team this close to the top of the league. But it only works if Tarasenko can still handle a real role, not just a name on the depth chart.
Signing a player like this in July is a lot like buying a car with a strong engine and no odometer. You're betting the résumé still matches what's left in the tank.
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Nothing is signed. Nothing is close, based on what's out there right now. Tarasenko remains a free agent, and Edmonton remains one name in a field that apparently includes Tampa Bay too.
Should the Oilers sign Vladimir Tarasenko this summer?
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