Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Winger Not Expected Back Next Season

The Edmonton Oilers are ready to kick off the 2023 playoffs and have been happy with the success of their team, from the stars to the depth. Like any team, there will be offseason changes though. One player in particular seems destined to hit free agency once again after this season, and that's Mattias Janmark.

Though the Oilers are surely happy with the production and level of play Janmark has given them this season, there won't be enough room to keep him around. The cap space will also be pretty tight with some extensions coming.

Janmark has played the majority of the season in the bottom-six, but actually started in the American Hockey League due to a lack of cap space the Oilers had. Once Evander Kane got injured and there was space for Janmark, he was called up, performed well, and stuck around. It appears as though he will start the playoffs on the fourth line. But what about next year makes him a likely candidate to head to free agency? The prospects.

Dylan Holloway made the Oilers out of training camp, but eventually got injured and is finishing the season in the AHL getting back up to speed and playing big minutes. He's had a good taste of the NHL and played well while he was up with the Oilers for the most part. What should change next season is him sticking around. He's on an entry-level contract, which saves the Oilers money, and the team will be looking to get him in a bigger role.

The other candidate to potentially play in the NHL next season is Raphael Lavoie. He had a strong season in Bakersfield, scoring 25 goals and 45 points in 61 games, and appears to have found his game. He's big, a force with the puck, and has a great shot while also having a small cap hit. Janmark would be a great player to keep around, but the Oilers will be looking to give their prospects a shot and will look to save money where they can.