Edmonton Oilers place 27-year-old defenseman on Waivers

The 27-year-old Finn has yet to appear in an NHL game and has not played for the Bakersfield Condors this season.

Edmonton can no longer move him between the NHL and AHL freely, which is why waivers are now part of the equation.

Leppanen arrived in Edmonton as an undrafted free agent after a historic season in Finland. With Vaasan Sport, he set the Liiga record for points by a defenceman, finishing with 63 points in 60 games.
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He later scored 11 goals and 38 points in 53 games with the Condors last season. Edmonton then extended him on a one-year, two-way deal through 2026-27 with an $850,000 NHL cap hit.

Any team can now claim Leppanen, and his low cap hit makes him an easy fit for a club seeking a puck-moving left shot on the third pair. If he clears, the Oilers can assign him back to the Condors, where he remains a call-up option for the NHL roster.

Injuries have already forced Edmonton to recall depth players this season, so every spot on the roster matters for a team chasing another deep playoff run.

A left-shot defenceman known for strong skating and puck movement, Leppanen has the profile of a player who could help an NHL bottom pair. Whether he plays in the league in 2026-27 may now depend on whether another club sees the same upside.

Oilers fans have followed Leppanen since his surprise training camp showing in 2025, when his poise and puck skills turned heads before he was assigned to Bakersfield.

Waivers typically resolve by noon ET the following day, so the answer on his future should arrive quickly. Check back for updates on whether another team claims him or he returns to the Condors.

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