The Edmonton Oilers love to sign former top-six wingers.

Following the 2023-24 season, the Oilers re-signed all of the supporting cast that got them to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, as well as Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. After another Stanley Cup Finals loss, the Oilers turned to Andrew Mangiapane.

None of the three moves worked out for the Oilers. Arvidsson was the best of the bunch, scoring 15 goals and 27 points in 67 games, but just two goals and seven points in 15 playoff games. Last off-season, he was traded to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-rounder in 2027 and proceeded to score 25 goals and 54 points.

Skinner, a six-time 30-plus goal scorer, potted just 16 goals and 29 points in 72 games, but hey, at least he made his playoff debut and even scored a goal. He was only signed to a one-year deal, signed with the San Jose Sharks last off-season, and played just 32 games before he was waived.

And then you have Mangiapane. He fit better as a middle-six forward and had a good start to the season but crashed hard. Over 52 games with the Oilers, Mangiapane scored just seven goals and 14 points in 52 games before being packaged with their 2027 first for Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach.

All of this is to say that the Oilers have a type: They love to sign a winger early in free agency and get them to play a role they don’t fit in. If........

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