Edmonton Oilers add forward Curtis Lazar in free agency

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Curtis Lazar to a one-year contract worth US$775,000 on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old from Salmon Arm, B.C., has registered 47 goals and 78 assists for 125 points in 572 regular-season NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils.

Lazar suited up in 48 contests for New Jersey in 2024-25, registering two goals and three assists.

Originally selected 17th overall by Ottawa at the 2013 draft, the six-foot, 203-pound Lazar has added a goal and two assists in 30 career playoff games.

Lazar returns to Edmonton after playing for the Western Hockey League’s Oil Kings from 2010 to 2014. He helped the club capture two WHL championships along with the 2014 Memorial Cup.

The Oilers said goodbye to forwards Corey Perry and Connor Brown when NHL free agency opened on Canada Day. Edmonton also re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42-million deal and added UFA winger Andrew Mangiapane on a two-year pact worth a total of $7.6 million.

Edmonton superstar captain Connor McDavid, who has the 2025-26 season remaining on his current deal, became eligible to sign an extension Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.