Edmonton Eyes Curtis Lazar for Preseason Tryout Opportunity

More than two months have elapsed since the NHL free‑agency period began, yet veteran forward Curtis Lazar remains unsigned after his one‑year deal with the Edmonton Oilers expired on June 30.

It appears Edmonton has moved on from Lazar. In July the club added forwards Mathieu Joseph and Eduards Tralmaks as free agents and re‑signed Colton Dach, Max Jones and Owen Michaels.

Subsequently, Edmonton learned that wingers Mattias Janmark and Matthew Savoie will miss the opening of training camp after sustaining offseason injuries, prompting speculation that the Oilers may seek another forward addition.

With the preseason fast approaching and Lazar still on the market, should Edmonton consider offering the 31‑year‑old a professional tryout contract (PTO)?

Understanding a Professional Tryout

In the NHL, a professional tryout contract is a short‑term agreement that lets veterans attend training camp and compete in the preseason.

For unsigned players as the season nears, a PTO offers a chance to impress and earn a standard NHL deal. For clubs with roster gaps, it provides a low‑risk method to evaluate players who could fill those needs.

Typically, Edmonton invites a handful of players to camp on PTOs, though in past offseasons the number has ranged from none to as many as seven.

Why Lazar Fits a PTO

While no player prefers a PTO over a guaranteed contract, Lazar possesses the mindset ideal for a tryout.

Since his junior days with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Lazar has demonstrated a strong work ethic free of ego. In a tryout setting he would approach each opportunity as if nothing is owed, a mindset that often turns a PTO into a full‑season contract.

Lazar’s Strengths

Lazar’s positive attributes are well known to Oilers management and his former teammates.

In 45 games he posted a team‑best 61.2 % faceoff win rate, ranked among the Oilers’ top hitters at 14.2 hits per 60 minutes, and recorded the fewest giveaways at 1.3 per 60 minutes.

Although he tallied only six points (four goals, two assists), Lazar contributed in other ways. The 6‑foot, 203‑pound forward checked effectively, played physically and avoided costly errors.

He performed reliably as a 13th forward, accepting healthy scratches without complaint and ready to step back into the lineup after a week in the press box.

Lazar and Babcock

Edmonton now has a new bench boss—Mike Babcock, who replaced Kris Knoblauch in June. Whether Lazar fits into Babcock’s plans is uncertain; the Oilers’ decision not to re‑sign him hints otherwise.

Nonetheless, it’s difficult to picture a coach overlooking Lazar; his team‑first, hard‑working attitude would likely appeal to Babcock’s old‑school style.

With over a dozen NHL seasons under his belt and still only in his early thirties, Lazar remains a viable option for any club—perhaps Edmonton should give him that chance.

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