Oilers shock NHL with controversial Alex Formenton signing!

For the past week, the idea of Alex Formenton landing with the Edmonton Oilers had been floating around the team's media circles. Oilers insider David Staples had publicly suggested the move as a low-cost depth option earlier this month. But what many fans hoped would remain just speculation became reality on Wednesday, when the club officially announced the signing.

The Oilers confirmed they have signed forward Alex Formenton to a one-year contract carrying an average annual value of $850,000. Formenton has not played in the NHL since April 2022.

Formenton, once viewed as a promising young forward, has been largely absent from the NHL since allegations of sexual assault tied to the 2018 World Juniors scandal became public. He was ultimately acquitted of those charges in court, meaning he is legally free to continue his professional career.

Despite the acquittal, the stigma surrounding the case had reportedly kept most NHL teams at a distance. Several organizations were said to have steered clear of all players involved in the proceedings, regardless of legal outcomes, due to the public relations concerns attached.

The signing follows a path already carved by a few of the other players connected to the same case. Carter Hart, who was also acquitted, signed with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. Dillon Dube secured a one-year, one-way deal worth $850,000 with the St. Louis Blues heading into this season.

Staples had reportedly framed a potential Formenton signing as a low-risk, high-reward play for a team operating under tight salary cap conditions. The reasoning was simple: a player with legitimate NHL ability whose market value had collapsed due to off-ice controversy could provide exactly the kind of affordable depth a contending roster needs.

Fan reaction, however, has been far from warm. When Staples initially floated the idea, supporters pushed back almost immediately. One commenter noted that Formenton "comes with baggage," while another sarcastically compared the move to bringing back Evander Kane, expressing frustration with the organization's willingness to add players who carry off-ice controversy.

The response to the official announcement was no different. One fan replied directly to the team's post on X, writing, "Damn yall just get easier and easier to hate."

But the Oilers appear committed to betting that Formenton's on-ice talent outweighs the complicated optics. How the forward performs in camp, and how the fanbase adjusts, will be two of the more closely watched storylines heading into the new season.

Formenton, who was drafted in the second round by Ottawa in 2017, played three seasons with the team, scoring 18 goals with 32 points in 79 games in 2021-22.