He has had an up-and-down run in Edmonton, and he has significantly regressed this season. The 36-year-old veteran has slowed down, and his age is showing. He has a measly two goals and 13 points this season and has been demoted to the fourth-line centre.<\/p>\n
The Oilers don\u2019t need him anymore and have younger internal options to replace him, like 24-year-old Josh Samanski. Samanski has been a regular in the lineup since the Olympic break, and he could be the full-time fourth-line centre next season. Therefore, the organization should let Henrique walk to free agency.<\/p>\n
Sixth: Max Jones<\/p>\n
Max Jones<\/a> is a depth piece, but he has found his way into the lineup because of injuries. While it\u2019s imperative to have depth, re-signing Jones shouldn\u2019t be a priority. They could likely sign him to a league minimum contract. He would probably spend most of the season on the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League (AHL) and step in when needed.<\/p>\n Related: 4 Takeaways From Oilers\u2019 4-3 Overtime Win Over Golden Knights<\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s a hardworking, energetic, and physical forward, which this team lacks. However, the emergence of Connor Clattenburg could make Jones expendable. Clattenburg had a cup of coffee in the NHL<\/a> this season before he got injured. He plays a similar style to Jones but is much younger. If the Oilers want to prioritize youth, then Clattenburg should get Jones\u2019 roster spot.<\/p>\n Fifth: Curtis Lazar<\/p>\n Curtis Lazar<\/a> was brought in as a depth piece, but he has played 38 games as the fourth-line centre, more than expected, until an injury derailed his season. He has three goals and five points on the campaign. The Oilers could look to bring him back for league minimum as the 13th forward, but he shouldn\u2019t be an everyday player. Samanski should be the primary fourth-line centre, and Lazar shouldn\u2019t take ice time away from him. Therefore, bringing him back isn\u2019t necessary, but it could be an insurance marker.<\/p>\n Fourth: Kasperi Kapanen<\/p>\n The Oilers claimed Kasperi Kapanen off waivers<\/a> in Nov. 2024, and he has been a solid addition to the forward group. He\u2019s a speedy middle-six forward who can play a defensively responsible role on the third line or second line alongside Leon Draisaitl. Unfortunately, injuries have limited him to just 32 games this season, but he has seven goals and 15 points in that time. He has been productive, but he also goes through long stretches of inconsistent play.<\/p>\n He found a solid role on this team, but he\u2019s also expendable, especially if he asks for too much money in free agency. They have his replacement in the organization, who is currently on his entry-level contract. Isaac Howard should be on the Oilers full-time in 2026-27, so where does that leave Kapanen? There\u2019s only so much money to go around, so Edmonton should choose the younger and cheaper option.<\/p>\n Third: Jack Roslovic<\/p>\n Unfortunately, Jack Roslovic<\/a> may have priced himself out of Edmonton. He\u2019s having a great season after inking a one-year deal with the Oilers. He has 19 goals and 31 points in 61 games and should be seeking a nice contract in the offseason, which the Oilers should be hesitant to offer. Like Kapanen, he also has stretches of inconsistency.<\/p>\n Last offseason, it was reported that Roslovic turned down a contract from the Oilers<\/a>, but he circled back to them after he didn\u2019t get what he was looking for. He signed for $1.5 million in hopes of raising his value for his next deal. He did just that, so don\u2019t expect him to sign a discount to stay in Edmonton. Some team will offer him a multi-year deal with a higher cap hit, and that team shouldn\u2019t be the Oilers. They have more important areas to address.<\/p>\n Second: Jason Dickinson<\/p>\n Bowman should strongly consider bringing back Jason Dickinson<\/a> at the right price. He was acquired at the trade deadline and has been a great addition. The Oilers finally found their third-line centre. He\u2019s a defensively responsible centre who excels on the penalty kill. He won\u2019t light up the score sheet, but he doesn\u2019t need to. The organization has needed help defensively for years, and Dickinson fits that bill. He knows his role and embraces it. He\u2019s a great fit on this team, and at 30 years old, he still has more to give.<\/p>\n First: Connor Murphy<\/p>\n The top priority should be bringing back Connor Murphy<\/a>. He is exactly what the Oilers required on the back end. He\u2019s a defensive defenceman who\u2019s good at breaking up the cycle and is a great shot blocker. He has 30 blocked shots in 11 games since joining the Oilers and 117 blocked shots in 58 games on the season.<\/p>\n He\u2019s a legitimate top-four defenceman, and if he walks in free agency, the Oilers will have another hole on the roster that needs to be plugged. The 33-year-old has been the perfect addition, and he fills a need that has been lacking for quite some time.<\/p>\n Who should the Oilers prioritize from their free agent class? Keep following The Hockey Writers<\/a> for all your NHL content throughout the season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jack-Roslovic-Oilers-2-1200x800.jpg\")
Edmonton Oilers center Jack Roslovic celebrates a goal against the Winnipeg Jets (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"SUBSCRIBE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Oilers_Banner-1200x122.jpg\")
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