The Edmonton Oilers have reassigned forward Max Jones to their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. The move, announced Thursday morning, January 2, 2026, clears a roster spot as the team anticipates the return of at least one player from long-term injured reserve.
Jones, 27, had been recalled by the Oilers on December 11 and appeared in eight games, contributing one goal and one assist. He also recorded his first fight as a member of the Oilers during Wednesday's game against the Boston Bruins. In his limited ice time, averaging 7:33 per game, Jones registered 12 shots and 20 hits. During his stint, the Oilers broke even in five-on-five goals while controlling a significant share of expected goals and high-danger scoring chances when he was on the ice.
Prior to his recall, Jones played 17 games with the Bakersfield Condors this season, scoring five goals and seven points. The demotion suggests that the Oilers are preparing to activate winger Kasperi Kapanen and potentially defenseman Jake Walman from long-term injured reserve before their Saturday game against the Philadelphia Flyers, provided they receive medical clearance.
Jones joined the Oilers organization last March in a trade with the Bruins, alongside Trent Frederic. He is currently in the second year of a two-year contract, carrying a $1 million annual cap hit, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
With the Oilers nearing full health and cap constraints becoming a factor, Jones may see fewer NHL opportunities compared to players with lower salaries. The Oilers have been navigating a tight salary cap situation, especially with multiple players on long-term injured reserve. To activate Kapanen and Walman, the team needs to clear additional cap space, possibly through a trade involving players like Andrew Mangiapane.
Other recent roster moves by the Oilers include the termination of David Tomasek's contract and Noah Philp being claimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes. These moves reflect the ongoing adjustments the Oilers are making to optimize their roster as they aim for a strong performance in the latter half of the season.
