Could Alex Formenton join the Edmonton Oilers after acquittal as NHL fans debate a possible bargain signing

The Edmonton Oilers are back at it again, talking about their depth and cheap additions to the roster, with Alex Formenton emerging as a speculative choice. The former Ottawa Senators forward has not played in the NHL since the legal proceedings in the 2018 World Juniors case became public.Formenton was acquitted in the case, meaning there was no conviction as a consequence of the court proceedings. But for NHL teams, the question of his availability is a complicated matter given the public focus on the case and wider concerns about his reputation.ID@undefined Caption not available.Could Alex Formenton join the Edmonton Oilers this season?Alex Formenton could theoretically return to the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, but there is no confirmation the team is looking to sign him at this point.The speculation comes from Oilers insider David Staples, who threw out the idea of Edmonton being a low-cost addition for Formenton. Where the debate lies is the player’s once-NHL potential and whether his current market value could be a fraction of what it used to be.Formenton had played previously with the Ottawa Senators and was considered a promising young forward. In 109 regular-season games with Ottawa, he posted 32 goals and 32 assists before disappearing from the NHL spotlight.The biggest question mark is the Formenton drama and the 2018 World Juniors investigation. He was one of the players involved in the case and was later cleared of any wrongdoing.That legal result is relevant to describing his present condition. An acquittal means Formenton was found not guilty in court, though the debate surrounding the case has continued to impact discussions about his professional future.How have Edmonton Oilers fans reacted?Some Edmonton Oilers fans have been critical of the move, with the discussion surrounding the acquisition of Formenton centring on how the move could be viewed publicly.This proposed move is also being discussed as it relates to the Oilers’ salary-cap limitations. The Oilers have had to consistently find affordable depth options while keeping their core roster intact, meaning inexpensive free-agent options are relevant to the team’s overall roster strategy.There’s been no indication the Edmonton Oilers have made Formenton an official contract offer or confirmed negotiations with his representatives. But for now, the link is just a hypothesis, not a reported deal.Formenton’s NHL future is still in question. His last output might make him an intriguing hockey selection, but any possible return to the league would be a matter of more than just his on-ice skill.Alex Formenton is the latest name being linked with a potential bargain move to the Edmonton Oilers. The former Ottawa Senators forward was acquitted in the 2018 World Juniors sexual-assault case but is still not in the NHL. Oilers insider David Staples floated the idea that drew strong reactions from fans, about the potential signing and its wider implications.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.