Two teams had interest in Alex Formenton, but we now know why he picked the Oilers

Alex Formenton's decision to sign with the Edmonton Oilers this offseason looked simple on the surface.

He needed a fresh start after years away from the NHL, and the Oilers needed cheap depth up front.

But according to TSN insider Darren Dreger, Edmonton had more competition for Formenton's signature than most people realized.

Dreger reported that both the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights had genuine interest in signing the 26 year old winger once he became available.

Two teams with very different rosters and very different needs both saw enough in Formenton's speed and penalty killing ability to make a real push.

So why did Formenton pick Edmonton over two teams that were reportedly just as serious?

It came down to relationships rather than money or opportunity.

Formenton has a close friendship with Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, and that personal connection carried real weight in his decision.

There was also history on the coaching staff.

D.J. Smith, now an associate coach in Edmonton, coached Formenton during his time with the Ottawa Senators.

That familiarity gave Formenton a level of comfort that a new organization simply couldn't offer.

For Edmonton, the news is a reminder that the front office beat out legitimate competition to land a player who fits a specific role.

Formenton signed a one year, $850,000 contract and is expected to compete for a bottom six spot while helping a penalty kill that struggled at times last season.

Whether he can translate his speed and Swiss league production back into consistent NHL minutes is still an open question.

But the fact that Carolina and Vegas were both willing to make a run at him suggests he's viewed around the league as more than just a depth flier.

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