Why is Alex Formenton’s Edmonton Oilers signing creating controversy across the NHL before the season

Edmonton Oilers sign Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 contract, marking the forward's return to the NHL after a three-year stint with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland. The deal provides the 26-year-old a chance to compete for a roster spot heading into the 2026-27 season.However, Formenton’s involvement in the legal proceedings surrounding the 2018 Hockey Canada case has made the signing one of the most closely followed NHL roster moves of the offseason. Formenton was acquitted of the criminal charge, and other developments related to Hockey Canada’s disciplinary process continue to shape the discussion around his return.Why did Edmonton Oilers sign Alex Formenton now? The Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with Alex Formenton to add an experienced forward at a relatively low salary as they prepare for the upcoming NHL season, and the one-year contract has an average annual value of $850,000 and runs through the 2026-27 season.Formenton has NHL experience, speed and penalty-killing ability coming to the Edmonton Oilers. He appeared in 109 regular-season games with the Ottawa Senators, registering 23 goals and 16 assists. His best NHL season came in 2021-22 when he scored 18 goals and had 32 points in 79 games.His productivity, too, has remained steady during his time overseas. Formenton played three seasons in Switzerland with HC Ambri-Piotta, scoring 33 goals and 52 points in 88 games. That experience could aid him in fighting for a bottom-six spot when Edmonton’s training camp kicks off.What does Alex Formenton bring to Edmonton Oilers?Much of the controversy surrounding the signing has to do with the 2018 Hockey Canada case involving Formenton and four of his former teammates. The NHL had reinstated all five players before the criminal trial, which ended in Formenton’s acquittal, making them eligible to return to league play.But the larger disciplinary context is still in the conversation. The independent appeal board said the players breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, with different timelines for eligibility for the players involved. The latest developments mean that only Formenton is eligible to be reinstated to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.How could the signing affect Edmonton Oilers?If Formenton finds himself a regular spot on the roster, the immediate hockey impact could be huge. Edmonton has questions about its forward depth to start the season due to injuries, including problems with Matt Savoie and Mattias Janmark, so Formenton comes with an opportunity to fight for real minutes rather than just being a long-term organisational addition.The $850,000 deal also reduces the financial risk of the move from a salary-cap perspective. Formenton has not played an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, and training camp and preseason performances will be the clearest indication of whether his speed and scoring ability can translate back to NHL competition.So the Edmonton Oilers’ decision is about more than just adding another forward, and it’s a cheap gamble on a roster that has a player whose return is of considerable public interest. Formenton will be hoping to build on that chance with a lasting return to the ice in the coming NHL season.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.