Oilers Should Target Mason Marchment in Free Agency

The countdown to free agency continues as trades and re-signings keep the league busy for the moment. As we approach a free-for-all for general managers and players alike, there’s a target I want to highlight for the Edmonton Oilers that hasn’t been talked about a lot. Mason Marchment is quietly one of the better veterans available on the market, and could be a perfect fit in Edmonton.

Marchment spent last season split between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken. He also played for the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs for different amounts of time before that. Since becoming a full-time pro, he’s been a consistent scorer and a well-rounded defender. He plays hard and isn’t afraid of the rough stuff either. Edmonton needs someone who can contribute and play both ways. Marchment could be that guy.

Marchment Is a Playoff Performer

Marchment has played in a few postseasons in his career so far, and he shows up on a few fronts. He has 19 points in 59 career playoff games, which is decent output for a middle to bottom-six guy. Looking at the last time he played in the playoffs with the Stars in 2025, Marchment was second on the team with 70 hits in 18 games and also near the top in takeaways. He also recorded an on-ice goals percentage of 56.5, good enough for fourth on the team.

The numbers from his most recent playoff run are just a small sample size. He can play in big games wherever he is needed and do whatever is asked of him. The Oilers had trouble getting balanced contributions in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, so some consistency like this would be good.

Marchment Can Be an Affordable Power Forward

As discussed, Marchment’s two-way game is strong. Standing at 6-foot-5, he’s considered a power forward. The Oilers have a guy like Trent Frederic who is of similar stature and plays the same in some ways. Marchment’s numbers are much better, and he would likely be favoured over Frederic and a couple of others in the bottom six. His numbers in the hit column have tapered off over the past few seasons, but he’s still young and able to round back into form.

One of the main things for Edmonton is affordability. Marchment made $4.5 million on his last contract, and after another strong season in 2025-26, he’ll be looking for a raise, probably in the $6 million range. Depending on other moves for the team, it might be a tough negotiation. They should be willing to give a little, as he would be an underrated asset to have for multiple seasons. Marchment missing out on the playoffs last season may give the Oilers some leverage.

Marchment Suits the Oilers’ Lineup

Marchment’s style of game that I’ve talked about would play really well beside a few of the players Edmonton already has. If he played with a guy like Jason Dickinson and potentially a winger like Vasily Podkolzin or Frederic, it would create a gritty, shutdown line with offensive upside you can trust in big games.

Marchment has played in a multitude of lineups with a number of stars, so I could easily see him being elevated in certain matchups, too. We’ve seen different wingers be tested beside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl before, and Marchment would likely get the same treatment if he were signed.

I believe Marchment should be one of the Oilers’ targets, among other players. We’ll see how things go in just a few days.