Edmonton Oilers Sign Free Agent Alex Formenton After 4 Years Out Of NHL
The #Oilers have signed forward Alex Formenton to a one-year contract with an AAV of $850,000. pic.twitter.com/1DQ14z3Ndu
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 9, 2026
It's a one-year deal for $850,000.
Formenton was one of the five Canadian World Juniors 2018 team members that was acquitted by a court last summer on sexual assault charges. Carter Hart was the first one of the five to return to the NHL, starting in goal for the Vegas Golden Knights for their playoff run to the Finals last season.
The St. Louis Blues signed Dillon Dube, another of the five, earlier this summer.
Formenton last played in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators in the 2021-22 season.
Stan Bowman on Formenton being reinstated by Hockey Canada recently
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) September 9, 2026
“I think that played a big role for us in our decision making, they were certainly the closest to this, they had the most information so for them to single Alex out as the one being deserving of reinstatement…
Oilers GM Stan Bowman explained the move, and partly attributed it to Formenton being reinstated by Hockey Canada this summer. He was the only one of the five acquitted players to get that designation.
“I think that played a big role for us in our decision-making. They were certainly the closest to this, they had the most information so for them to single Alex out as the one being deserving of reinstatement immediately, we did feel like that played a large role. “I’ve had a chance to have multiple conversations with Alex and go over lots of things…. We’ve reached the decision we think this is the right move to bring Alex in and help our group.”
Formenton was a second-round pick of the Senators in the 2017 NHL Draft, and posted 18 goals and 32 points in one full season with the team in 2021-22. He's been playing in Switzerland ever since.