Canadian team signs the controversial Alex Formenton to one-year contract in NHL comeback
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Alex Formenton has signed a one year, $850,000 contract with the Edmonton Oilers, bringing the winger back to the NHL after three seasons in Switzerland.
The move ends months of speculation that started building once Bob Stauffer began floating Formenton's name on Oilers Now.
Edmonton Journal columnist David Staples had also pushed for the club to take a look, and it turns out both were onto something.
The 26 year old last played in the NHL with Ottawa during the 2021-22 season, when he put up 18 goals and 32 points over 79 games, five of those goals coming shorthanded.
Since then he's been overseas, spending the last three years with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland, where he posted 23 points in 42 games this past season.
A familiar face behind the bench
One thing that likely helped push this deal across the line is the presence of DJ Smith on Edmonton's coaching staff.
Smith ran the Senators bench from 2019 through 2023, which means he coached Formenton during that career best 2021-22 campaign.
Having a coach who already knows how to use him could make the transition back to North America a lot smoother.
What he brings to the lineup
Formenton isn't walking in expected to drive a scoring line.
His game is built around skating, forechecking and creating pressure in transition, along with penalty killing experience that Edmonton's staff has clearly taken note of.
On a league minimum deal, it's a low risk addition for a team that already has plenty of scoring up top but could use more depth and speed on the wing heading into training camp.
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