​2025 Stanley Cup Final – Media Day GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: Alex Formenton #10 of the Ottawa Senators waits for a faceoff in the first period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on March 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) GettyEdmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman could sign a controversial player as injuries already begin to pile up. Edmonton recently announced that Mattias Janmark, Matt Savoie, Alec Regula, and Frederik Andersen would not participate in training camp later this month. The quartet is all dealing with different setbacks heading towards the new season.While the Oilers did not get into specific details, the four players are not expected to miss significant time. Nevertheless, Edmonton has been linked to bringing in an additional NHL-ready skater, particularly at the forward position. The latest player to be named as a potential signing is Alex Formenton. The 6’2″ winger last played in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators during the 2021-22 season. He recorded 32 points on the year.According to Edmonton Journal’s David Staples, the links between the Edmonton Oilers and Formenton were made by Oilers NOW host Bob Stauffer. During a recent podcast, the team insider claimed that the winger would be a good fit with the club. “A little bit different situation, Alex Formenton,” began Stauffer.“Big rangy guy that can skate, and was a good, good penalty killer. I have a couple of friends that watched him play last year in Switzerland. Didn’t think he was particularly great, but the reality is: free player.”Former NHL exec Brian Lawton agreed with Stauffer’s assessment. “I would not hesitate,” Lawton said of Edmonton targeting the forward. “I would want to make sure I did my due diligence, and I was comfortable with it. Alex Formenton, I could tell you, was a guy that I would be comfortable with… You’re going to get what would be considered a very low-risk contract.”Edmonton Oilers may be Hesitant to Sign Alex Formenton due to Legal BattleGettyAlex Formenton has 39 points in 109 total NHL games with the Ottawa Senators.
As Stauffer alluded to, Formenton most recently played for HC Ambrì-Piotta in Switzerland. The once highly rated forward posted 23 points, including 13 goals, in 42 games this past season. After leaving Ottawa in 2022, he has played three campaigns with the Swiss side. The winger also contributes on the penalty kill, something that the Edmonton Oilers are looking at.Although Formenton has talent, he would be viewed as a controversial signing by many Edmonton Oilers hockey fans. The forward was one of five NHL players to be charged, and subsequently acquitted, of sexual assault. Two of the other players involved in the case, Carter Hart and Cal Foote, were targeted with fan backlash after they signed with teams following the court’s ruling. It remains to be seen if the Oilers are