The Edmonton Oilers have been actively exploring the European market to bolster their forward depth, particularly after signing David Tomasek. While Tomasek is expected to compete for a spot on the NHL roster, reports indicate that the Oilers also considered adding another European forward to the mix.

One player linked to the Oilers was Patrik Puistola, a 23-year-old winger currently playing for Örebro HK in the SHL. Puistola, a former third-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019, had his rights once traded to the Oilers in 2023 in exchange for Jesse Puljujarvi. However, the Oilers' rights to Puistola eventually expired, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Despite speculation linking Puistola to Edmonton, a deal never materialized. Puistola himself acknowledged the rumors in an interview with Nerikes Allehanda's David Hellsing, stating that it "was never close to anything like that".

Puistola had a strong season with Örebro and showcased his talent for Finland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where he scored four goals. This performance reportedly caught the attention of the Oilers, who had previously traded for him. However, the Oilers ultimately decided not to pursue Puistola further.

The Oilers have a history of looking to Europe to find value and add depth to their roster. Recently, the Oilers signed several European free agents, including David Tomasek and Atro Leppanen. Tomasek, in particular, is expected to get a real chance to succeed in the NHL, with Coach Knoblauch potentially considering him for the opening night lineup. Allan Mitchell of The Athletic identified Tomasek as a lock for the NHL roster, while Leppanen could also see some games as a call-up.

The Oilers' interest in European free agents is partly due to their limited draft capital in recent years. General Manager Stan Bowman has a track record of finding talent in Europe, and the Oilers are looking to replenish their prospect pool and extend their window of contention by exploring this avenue.

While a deal with Puistola didn't come to fruition, the Oilers' interest highlights their continued efforts to find skilled players in Europe. With Tomasek already signed and potentially other European players on their radar, the Oilers are aiming to add depth and competition to their forward group as they prepare for the upcoming season.