Edmonton's Sanctuary: Oilers Prioritize Utility Over Morality in Formenton Signing

OPINION: The Edmonton Oilers have once again positioned themselves as the NHL's primary sanctuary for disgraced talent. The signing of forward Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 contract is not an isolated incident of forgiveness, but a calculated decision by a front office that consistently values raw utility over any semblance of organizational morality.

According to reporting from Sportsnet, Formenton is one of the 'London Five' involved in a 2018 sexual assault case. While Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia found all five players not guilty in July 2025—stating the Crown could not meet its onus and the complainant's evidence was not "credible or reliable"—the Oilers' decision to bring him back is viewed by many as a moral failure. The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton told Global News Toronto that the signing is a "painful example of sports culture prioritizing talent over accountability," noting that such decisions signal an organization's values regarding safety, consent, and respect.

General Manager Stan Bowman, who Sportsnet notes was himself a controversial hire due to his role in the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault controversy, admitted the move was driven by immediate team needs. With penalty killers Matt Savoie and Mattias Janmark on the injured list, Bowman told Sportsnet that Formenton's specific skill set—up-tempo pressure and skating—made him a primary target. Bowman described the list of available UFAs with Formenton's profile as "very short" or "almost no list."

This pattern of ignoring "red flags" is deeply embedded in the Oilers' culture. Sportsnet highlights a history of second chances in Edmonton, citing former players Jake Virtanan and Evander Kane, as well as the 1985 signing of Craig MacTavish following a prison sentence for vehicular homicide. The current leadership reflects this trend; the team employs Mike Babcock and is led by Bowman.

Formenton, who spent three of the last four years playing for HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland, expressed gratitude to the Katz family, Bowman, Jackson, and Babcock for the opportunity. While Oilers Captain Connor McDavid told Global News Toronto that the signing is a "great opportunity" for Formenton, the reaction from the public has been stark. Sportsnet reported that a social media announcement of the signing drew hundreds of negative replies, while Global News Toronto reported that the team has already lost a "superfan" as a result.

Ultimately, the Oilers are betting that a not-guilty verdict is the only metric that matters. As Bowman told Sportsnet, the team must look at "how we can help our team," proving that in Edmonton, the quest for a Stanley Cup outweighs the moral concerns of the community.