Could Vladimir Tarasenko join the Edmonton Oilers after remaining unsigned through the NHL offseason

With the 2026-27 NHL season on the horizon, there could still be a potential landing spot for veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko with the Edmonton Oilers. Tarasenko is coming off a productive season with the Minnesota Wild. Also, scoring 23 goals and 24 assists in 75 regular-season games.The veteran right wing also has plenty of playoff experience, including two Stanley Cup championships, and has amassed 709 career points in 906 NHL regular-season games. His ongoing availability will be an interesting storyline heading into camp considering his experience and recent scoring production.SyntaxError: Unexpected token 'Why is Vladimir Tarasenko still unsigned in NHL free agency?Teams could be weighing Vladimir Tarasenko’s age, his recent defensive numbers and his projected role against his scoring production, which is why he is still unsigned. The 34-year-old is no longer a top-line cornerstone, but his 23 goals for the Minnesota Wild showed he can still contribute offensively.Tarasenko had 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 75 games with the Minnesota Wild in 2025-26. His 23 goals were his most since the 2023-24 season, when he shared time with the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers.That’s even more impressive when you consider he did it while averaging just under 15 minutes a game. That could make him an attractive player for teams looking for a middle-six winger who can provide finishing skill without having to be a top offensive driver.Could Edmonton Oilers give Vladimir Tarasenko an opportunity?The Edmonton Oilers have emerged as a possible landing spot for Tarasenko, potentially on a professional tryout or short-term deal. He’s been mentioned in recent reports as one of the interesting unsigned veterans who could get a look with Edmonton before training camp.The pitch to Edmonton would be simple: Tarasenko could be another experienced scoring option around a core led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers may also take a look at him in training camp before making a longer-term roster decision.A one-year deal or professional tryout would minimise the financial and roster risk for Edmonton, and allow Tarasenko to prove he can maintain the recent scoring pace. It also gives the Oilers a chance to evaluate his fit, conditioning and effectiveness before making a final decision.As it stands, Tarasenko has no deal with the Edmonton Oilers, and where he lands is one of the more interesting questions for NHL free agents heading into camp.Vladimir Tarasenko is still a free agent with the 2026-27 NHL season just around the corner, despite scoring 23 goals and 47 points with the Minnesota Wild last season, and the veteran winger has been linked with a short-term deal with the Edmonton Oilers. His scoring ability and playoff experience could be of interest to Edmonton, but his age and probable role could be the reason he’s still on the board.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.