The Edmonton Oilers head into the 2026 offseason facing enormous pressure after a disappointing end to their Stanley Cup hopes. Just one year removed from consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances, Edmonton’s season came crashing down with a six-game first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
With time running out on Connor McDavid’s contract, general manager Stan Bowman faces a massive offseason as the Oilers try to improve their scoring depth and overall roster. That aim has sparked speculation about a blockbuster move for a Vegas forward, but one NHL insider has now issued a major reality check.
Oilers Face Harsh Reality Over Chase For Golden Knights Star
Vegas Golden Knights star Pavel Dorofeyev is expected to become a restricted free agent on July 1, and his value has skyrocketed over the last two seasons. The 25-year-old winger has posted back-to-back 35-plus goal campaigns and currently leads the NHL playoffs with 10 goals, cementing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous young scorers.
Since Vegas is dealing with major salary cap pressure, many around the league believe rival teams could attempt an aggressive offer sheet to pry Dorofeyev away. His next contract is projected to surpass $70 million in total value on a long-term deal, which only adds to the speculation.
Normally, restricted free agents sign contracts below full market value. But with very few elite scorers potentially available this summer, Edmonton has been heavily linked as a possible suitor willing to take a massive swing.
However, longtime Oilers insider Jim Matheson has poured cold water on the idea. “Theory is teams will pounce on salary-cap squeezed Vegas with an offer sheet on Pavol Dorofeyev this summer and they should for a Jason Robertson-type shooter, but Vegas will find a way to match. They will move Adin Hill’s $6.25m somehow and Hertl’s $6.75m, even with lots of term left,” Matheson noted.
Matheson believes the Vegas Golden Knights will do everything possible to keep Pavel Dorofeyev in Sin City, even if they have to move big contracts to make it work.
Still, the idea of Edmonton making a chaotic offer-sheet play continues to gain traction.
Insider Jeff Marek recently suggested a scenario where the Oilers could make one of the boldest moves of the offseason if they reacquire their first-round pick from the San Jose Sharks.
“On The Sheet today we talked about a max chaos move the Oilers could pull off if they can get their first round pick back from San Jose: offer sheet Pavel Dorofeyev. $11.9 x 2 would cost two firsts, a second and a third,” Marek said.
ALSO READ: Oilers Free Agency Rumors: 21-Goal Forward Set to be Tagged as Cap Casualty
It would be a huge gamble for Stan Bowman, but the Oilers may feel forced to chase another elite scorer to maximize McDavid’s championship window. The biggest question, however, remains whether Vegas would simply match the deal anyway, something Matheson strongly believes they would find a way to do.