Edmonton Oilers sign former Senators winger Alex Formenton to one-year deal

The Edmonton Oilers added a new forward to their roster by signing Alex Formenton to a one‑year deal. The contract carries an $850,000 cap hit, bringing the 26‑year‑old winger back to the National Hockey League after a three‑season absence.

Edmonton Oilers Add Speed and Depth Scoring

The appeal for the Edmonton Oilers centers on speed, penalty‑killing ability, and depth scoring at a low financial risk. Standing at 6‑foot‑2 and 195 pounds, Formenton provides size and skating capability that could bolster the team's bottom‑nine forwards and transition play. During his last full NHL campaign with the Ottawa Senators in the 2021‑22 season, Formenton set a career high with 18 goals and 32 points across 79 games. He also logged significant time shorthanded, ranking second among Ottawa forwards with 150 minutes 27 seconds on the penalty kill.

Familiarity within the coaching staff may ease his return. Associate coach D.J. Smith previously coached Formenton in Ottawa, providing the Oilers organization with firsthand knowledge of his abilities and style of play.

Ottawa Senators Cut Ties and Relinquish Rights

Formenton's journey back to the NHL follows a lengthy departure from his original club. Drafted by the Ottawa Senators at No. 47 overall in the 2017 draft, Formenton played 109 career games for the franchise, accumulating 23 goals and 39 points. He did not sign a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent in July 2022, allowing Ottawa to retain his rights while he played overseas.

Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, and Formenton’s Toronto‑based agent Darren Ferris of Quartexx Management, agreed last summer that a change of scenery was best for the player. The Senators attempted to trade his rights early last season in exchange for a late draft pick, but trade interest remained limited. Ultimately, the Senators cut ties on May 8 when they filed paperwork with the league’s Central Registry office, transforming Formenton into an unrestricted free agent. League sources told the Ottawa Citizen that the Senators removed the winger from their free‑agent list.

Legal Proceedings and Subsequent Reinstatement Timeline

Formenton's time away from the league involved legal proceedings stemming from an alleged incident in June 2018 in London, Ontario, involving members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team. In July 2025, Formenton and four other former players were acquitted of sexual‑assault charges. Following the trial, the NHL and NHLPA agreed on a suspension for each player on Sep. 12, 2025, and the league reinstated the players on Dec. 1, 2025, making them eligible to return. An independent board reviewing Hockey Canada’s code of conduct upheld the suspensions, after which Hockey Canada reinstated Formenton immediately, allowing him to participate in its sanctioned events while the other four players remained suspended.

Performance Overseas and Future Outlook

While outside the NHL, Formenton spent three seasons with HC Ambri‑Piotta in Switzerland's top professional league. Across 88 games abroad, he recorded 33 goals and 19 assists for 52 points. In his most recent season with the Swiss club, he contributed 13 goals and 23 points in 42 games.

With the contract finalized, Formenton prepares to join the Edmonton Oilers as they shape their roster for the upcoming season, returning to North American professional hockey under the guidance of familiar coaching personnel.