The Oilers spent the summer telling us a signing or PTO was unlikely, but the penalty-killing skill of Alex Formenton changed general manager Stan Bowman’s mind. I’m not sure he makes the team outright, three years away from the NHL is a lifetime. If he can help on the penalty kill, and his speed will help on the forecheck, Formenton might be a solid addition. We have zero idea how much offense he’ll bring, but I imagine Bowman is betting it’ll be more than Mattias Janmark.
Who is impacted most? The left-wing depth chart before yesterday included Vasily Podkolzin, Ike Howard, Trent Frederic and Colton Dach. You could add Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in there, depending on where he plays this season. I think Trent Frederic may also play center at times this season (certainly based on yesterday’s captain’s skate).
So the addition of Formenton should directly impact the following players: Colton Dach, Mattias Janmark, Max Jones, Eduards Tralmaks and Aku Raty. I’ll have the training camp roster up tomorrow (or the day after it drops), but we should talk about Formenton as a player.
He’s fast, can penalty kill and was a promising scorer last time he played in the NHL. Last time we saw him, Puck IQ tracked him thusly: Underwater in five-on-five goal share, but a little above average relative to the rest of that Senators club. His team had a garbage PTO when he was on the ice (97.1, that’s what Jack Roslovic endured for Edmonton one year ago) and I think he’s probably better as an outscorer than many are suggesting online currently.
I don’t have the Swiss numbers, and would suggest time in Bakersfield is possible, perhaps even likely. We’ll see.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll talk about a deal that needs to be made, now or later. Our feature guest will be Bagged Milk from Daily Faceoff Edmonton, and we’ll talk Elks, Jays, NFL, and of course the Oilers. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Sorry if I missed it but what is Savoie’s injury and what is the return timeline?
LBI and Mid-late October.
But this is the Oilers so that might mean the new year.
Fibonacci presents Schrodinger’s Savoie:
Savoie is both terrible and will warrant 8M a season.
I think it started with Bouchard
From: “Bouchard is sitting in the box because he’s simply not an NHL level player and he is far too old to become an elite defenseman, all while his peers, Noah Dobson and Ty Smith passed him like a house on the side of the road”
To: “Bouchard is going to command a 100 gajillion dollars so he can financially catch up to his peers, Hughes and Dahlin. The Oilers can’t afford to have such a good defenseman on the roster.”
NEWS: #VegasBorn re-sign F Braeden Bowman to six-year, $3.4M AAV contract extension. Deal begins in 27-28.
23 y/o had 26 pts in 54 GP in debut NHL season last year
https://x.com/puckreportnhl/status/2098155531919561067?s=61
Savoie?
That is not even a remote comparable for Savoie.
I was thinking the better comparable would be Frederic. Not age wise but more so upside i.e. 25 to 30 point 3rd liner…
What are you expecting Savoie’s next contract to look like?
And why hasn’t been extended?
His injury might cost him coin on an extension unless they want to bridge him. They could be waiting to see what Howard does. I can’t see them going with 2 small fries up front it’s alright for now the playoffs may be a different story. I say one of these players will be traded this year sometime can’t allow scrubs to take free runs at Connor and Leon as in either one gets hurt the Oilers are hooped. Bowman needs to do a better job at protecting his meal tickets.
Savoie missing 2, 4, 5 weeks likely has zero effect on his contract extension terms.
You already booked Howard as as sweetener in the Nurse trade and moved a young ELC player for months but here we are.
Scrubs taking runs at McDavid and Drai has never been a problem.
Savoie’s contract will look similar to Fraser Minten’s contract – likely a bit more.
As his agent noted in August, he sees no reason why the extension won’t get done in due course over the next bit.
There are over 300 players set to be RFA at season’s end – many will get extended over the next bit, many won’t.
Minten is 6’2 and plays center – why would Savoie command more?
I believe Savoie is a better player, now and going forward.
I don’t purport to pay players based on size but vis-a-vis on ice impact.
That’s fair, but a quick look at NST Rels indicates to me that Minten had a greater on-ice impact last year.
Would love to see a rematch with Florida especially if they get Hellebuych. I would think McDavid would enjoy a second opportunity at Hellebuych. Florida is not going anywhere. Zito has formed a playoff team that loves playing in the backalley yet has the skill and scorers. Florida dictates the pace and the reffing only team stopping them is the Tampa Bay express.
I would love more than anything for them to slay the dragon but would be perfectly fine with someone else taking them out.
The Florida Panthers could lose all 84 games of the season, see their rink sink into the ocean and I still would not be happy with their level of success. Losing early in the playoffs would be a second best outcome, imo.
How many Cups would we have with Zito combination of brawn and brains. Now he’s chasing Hellebuych Carolina doesn’t stand a chance only team in the East is Tampa and that Series will be either 1st or 2rd round. Now that we have goaltending we should make it by Vegas and Dallas fuk Colorado. Game 1 of the final Panthers (Hellebuych) at Oilers (Andersen) 3 fights in the 1st and 2nd period.
Rookie camp details released.
A definite Beatles theme with Beau the Ake-man and invitee Olli Wahlroos. Coo-coo-ca-choo.
Samanski-Howard-Hutson gonna absolutely dominate.
Excited if Berzkalns makes an impression if only to see the creativity you have with the name.
Good heavens Samanski grew a few inches over the summer.
Do you reckon that’s a typo, or was he wearing skates during the check-in?
Something seems off, either he wasn’t 6’2″ last year or isn’t 6’5″ this year. Pretty rare for a 24 year old to get taller.
EP has him listed at 6’3, nhl.com at 6’2. I expect 6’5 is simply a typo.
Maybe he has Ekbald old juice dealer.
Last summer when he was signed, he was listed at 6’5” on hockeydb.
Afterwards I watched a lot of video of him and had posted here how he appeared to be a bit under 6’3.
Someone in charge of that list must’ve used that information..
https://lowetide.ca/2025/07/30/young-hearts-run-free/#comment-1373902
Would be pretty shocking if Formenton makes the club when camp ends, Im guessing DJ Smith was the man in the room pushing for this.
He would be in his prime right now if he had kept playing in the NHL. As long as he has the speed DJ knows this player if he hasn’t lost a step he’s on the team. He will be used probably becoming the leader on a revamped PK unit that was a sad sack of shit last year.
I’d be surprised if he didn’t.
Without further injury, it would be Max Jones taking the13F spot. Formenton’s speed and PK are real. He has legit middle six upside too but should fit in well at 4W/PK for now.
I was bummed out with the Savoie injury mostly because of his ability with room to create SH opportunities. I thought him and Joseph would be a real threat to start the season. The signing of Formenton has me back on the D.J train. The best part of watching Ottawa a few years ago was that exciting PK unit. I’m unsure how many if any of those 18 goals by Formenton were on the PK? Actually I see that it’s 5 shorties that has me even more pumped for our PK.
Depending on Howard’s early season performance, there is a non zero chance Fomenton supplants him on the second lin.
Fomenton is bigger, faster and has a history of scoring in the NHL.
The Swiss stats on Formenton mean very little. He’s built for the NHL he’s only made 1.5 career earnings he’s turning 27 in a couple of days. Something about this signing is nothing but good vibes. The kid is back in the NHL playing for his old boss that nelieved in him.
He also played on one of the poorest teams in the Swiss league.
Team mates matter.
Who knows? Maybe Howard plays on a third line with Formenton & Nuge. Who says Howard is on the second or first line?
Wait, now you have Howard in the NHL?
Wonders never cease. Who knows?
Huh? Formenton has basically no NHL history.
If Formenton is the Oilers second line LW then something has gone horribly wrong (or very very right for Formenton).
109 NHL GP with 23 goals is not nothing.
Howard has scored only 2 goals in 29 NHL games.
Depending on Howard’s early season performance, there is a non-zero chance that Howard solidifies himself as a legit top 6 goal scoring threat in the NHL.
Howard has a history of scoring goals at every level.
Except one.
One concern might be how few shots he generated (only 36 in 29 games)
Agh, yes, those 29 games as a rookie pro, most prior to getting any development time.
Should we note the early career production of, say, Dylan Holloway?
3 goals and 6 assists in 51 games as a 21 year old followed up by 6 goals and 3 assist in 38 games as a 22 year old.
Why would it be shocking? The bar he has to jump over is NOT very high.
I will say, I like that Bowman seems to be signing depth players that can skate and check. It will make playing an uptempo game much easier. It would be nice if a few of them actually had a history of scoring at the NHL level.
Yep, keep the meat grinder pipeline well stocked, those jobs are hard to do and if someone isn’t bringing the energy just bring up the next one.
The concept reflects those Chicago teams.
It really is amazing how Bowman kept finding talent for the bottom six in Chicago. How many players owe Bowman as many of these players were longshots but he gave them an opportunity totally opposite of Holland who loved his older veterans. Bowman is loading up as he’s trying the same approach in Edmonton. Lots of players will get there chance all it takes or one or two surprises that stick and transform our bottom six into a weapon.
It seems to me that a lot of the guys they are getting are more scorers than play makers and have some edge, which is a change. Formenton’s NHL byline: 109 GP, 23 G, 16 A, 71 PIM. The Oilers have lacked enough finishers for a bit
That’s why Savoie and Howard both in the top 6 doesn’t make sense? I would say pump and dump Howard or if they prefer Howard than trade Savoie who has value. They need a big body that can play top 6 the Frederic experiment was a disaster. Hopefully Savoie or Howard could get that player hell maybe it’s Dach-Formenton even Jones in small doses
How does that mean that both Savoie and Howard in the top 6 doesn’t make sense? I have no idea how one gets that from SS’s comment….
Formenton had a 17 goal season at 21-21 in his one full season before things went off the rails in his life.
Joseph had a 35 point season under DM Smith and a 12 goal (in 58 games) season in Tampa.
Perhaps they are black holes offensively but has been scoring there in the past.
He had 18 goals playing way deeper in the line-up with less talented players than McDavid-Hyman. Savoie gets a hat-trick to get from 16 to 19. Both were 21. If the kid can relax play his game D.J is the reason he’s signing they must be throwing P.K minutes immediately. I don’t think he’ll play in the Minors it’s the beginning of the season everyone is trying to get in the rhythm of the pace that takes weeks to get at. I’ll say it again dollar for dollar this may turnout to be the best free agent signing this offseason.
LT, apologies if you don’t want this here, but since many are discussing Formenton’s history with apparently little knowledge of the facts, I’ve linked below the full text of the judgement (91 page pdf):
Hockey Canada trial recap: All players in sex assault case found not guilty
Expand the top article and you’ll see the pdf. You do not have to download it, it can be read in your browser.
That’s an excellent route to take. Thanks for doing it.
— not in Edmonton: what’s the general vibe there on this in the town?
— there was a good observation yesterday: wives and girlfriends of the oilers how they feel.
— it’s easy to point to the legal exoneration: Hockey Canada didn’t pay out millions out of benevolence or to do the right thing.
— I’ll still cheer for the oilers but the obit on this era of Oilers should they not win writes for itself : “team desperately trying to win made a bunch of dubious hires and 2nd chances to many that were expelled from Hockey and culturally not the right organizational fit”
— Winning cures all of course
,
..
I don’t live in Edmonton and cannot comment on this.
I would encourage you to read the text of the judgement prior to inferring guilt. It’s painful to read so I wouldn’t blame you if you choose not to, but informed opinions are of greater value.
At a young age, things happened and decisions were made that impacted lives forever. I cringe at the thought of all of this as a parent of both a son and a daughter, because what happened was every parent’s nightmare, for both sides. The 5 young men are moving on with their lives. When Bowman was hired, he talked about his regrets, mistakes, how he spent his suspension time getting involved in programs and learning more to change his outlook going forward. I’m hoping we’ll soon hear more about things like that regarding Formenton.
As I read through the judgement my mind kept screaming “where were the fathers?” So sad.
30 hours ago, Max Jones was locked in to 13F and Hutson and Tralmaks had a shot at a roster spot if they were going to keep 14F and 7D. I think they’ll keep 8D to not expose Stastney and this puts Jones’ roster spot at risk and slams the door on Tralmaks and Hutson (and Raty, Michaels, Marjala) unless there are further injuries.
Or unless they outplay him
Is there even a chance to “outplay”, even taking away how little exhibition game performance means.
I think Formenton is locked. There were other teams looking to sign him (three) so he would likely get claimed on waivers.
Yep someone on the oilers staff seen him skate seen what kind of shape he’s in before signing him. I would say dollars against doughnuts he chose Edmonton because of D.J. Dollar for Dollar this may turnout to be one of the best free agent signings.
It might all depend upon the system or the style of play they want to play this season, as it sounds like there’s some uncertainty, until the coaching staff get all the players on the ice together and see what they have collectively as a group. And that might even change from game to game depending on the opponent. So that depends.
Babcock has said they will likely need to adjust details of the system and structure once they get in to it but we know, from a high level it will be pressure based and high paced.
He’s on a minimum deal so the only cost to the Oilers id Katz’s money and one contract spot. If he doesn’t have it in camp, he’s on a plane to Bakersfield. Given the Oilers prospect pipeline status we should be looking at outside the box solutions to procuring talent. If we can reclaim what was once a talented young NHLer for nothing, great.
Edited to keep conversation within hockey framework. LT
There’s no doubt his skill set is a match for team need. I wonder if he does in fact line up with Frederic and Joseph opening night. Interesting line with forechecking promise.
Is Frederic the best centre to play with those two? Might Dickinson be a better choice ? Use Freddy on the wing with Dach & RNH. As usual there’s plenty of options.
LT is going to die on the Trent Frederic hill.
If Freddie bangs on in in he first couple of games, that is going to kick of a great redemption arc.
Second year of a contract most eyes are off him. He’s no longer the centre of attention with the huge pay raises of journeymen players this spring. If he bangs home 12-14 goals I’ll be happy.
It does sound like he has the boots to play, it is the play away from the puck as well as his ability to contribute offensively that are in question. The fact his contract is buriable makes this signing palatable.
McDavid did an interview with Friedman that was on his 32 Thoughts Pod – always a good listen.
It was notable that McDavid said “I want to be coached”. When pressed on what that means, he talked about the details of the game and the defensive side. Noted that there are lots of areas of the game that come naturally to him but others he needs to work and and needs to be coached. Mostly on the defensive side but “also on the offensive side….. when the offence dries up, we need to be able to fall back on a system”.
“also on the offensive side….. when the offence dries up, we need to be able to fall back on a system”
This is music to my ears. I’ve been going on about it for a few years. Especially in playoffs when nothing easy is there
That statement along with the overall “we want to be coached” is quite the shot at Knob….
I suggested yesterday about if he’s locked on the team or if maybe he’ll be in Bako to start the season and get back up to NHL speed. Stauff says he’s on the team for sure and, thinking about it, I think that’s true – he’ll be on the team over Max Jones, right?
His speed is still there and that doesn’t slump, and we saw it yesterday. I think his PK will be just fine and, right there, that’s value for the $850K contract.
I’m not concerned about his production in Europe, I think he might have been distracted over the last few years and not at his hockey best…… in any event, even if he is just a 4th line energy and high end PK guy, that has value. Of course, there is legit upside, he was trending to be a legit top 6 forward at 21 until, well, we know what.
No risk here – if he sucks, he can be fully buried.
Someone like Puljujarvi doubled his offence, is big, and fast. Perhaps the body crashing energy is the key but if you wanted someone who could have a chance of making a difference he’d be a better bet.
The ship has sailed on JP but if we’re all for reclamation projects can it be one whose only private history is being a bit of a goofball?
I put zero stock in to him being 4th in scoring on his team and Jesse leading to it.
My friend has no clue what this means can you explain it to him.
Now you’re willing Max Jones out , right?
I’m not but the Formenton signing was not a good think for Jones’ chances.
Without further injury (or trade), Jones has to hope they keep a 14F
Nothing has changed. This could be a sign they are planning on keeping 14 forwards.
Howard might even make the team LOL.
Of course something has changed – they’ve added a signed forward that, barring something unforeseen, is a lock to make the team. They might keep 14, they might keep 13.
Its not really arguable that something has changed nor that this isn’t a bad thing for Jones, is it?
Sure, Howard might not make the team but I would suggest the possibility of that is much much much much much lower than Jones not making the team.