While the Edmonton Oilers battle it out in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, general manager Stan Bowman is already planning for the future.
The Oilers announced Saturday that they’ve signed Finnish forward Viljami Marjala to a two-year entry-level contract.
Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Marjala became a free agent after going unsigned and hitting the open market on June 1.
Now 22, the 6-foot-1 winger has spent the last three seasons with TPS Turku in Finland’s top league, Liiga, where he amassed 29 goals and 101 points in 129 games. In the 2024–25 season, he notched a career-high 52 points, tying for the team lead. His 44 assists ranked fifth in the league and led all TPS forwards — a strong indication of his elite playmaking abilities.
Though his goal total dropped from 17 the previous season to eight, Marjala’s vision and hockey IQ made a significant impact on the ice.
Prior to his pro career, Marjala played junior hockey with the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL, where he put up 73 points in 98 games and helped them reach the 2022 semifinals. Hailing from Haukipudas, Finland, he also climbed through the Karpat development system and represented Finland 12 times at the senior level — although he’s yet to appear in events like the Olympics or World Championships.
This marks Edmonton’s second Finnish signing in June, following the addition of Roby Jarventie, as the team continues to build a deeper talent pipeline for the seasons ahead.
Meanwhile, the Oilers remain laser-focused on the present, with the Stanley Cup Final series tied 1-1 against the Florida Panthers.
🗳 FAN POLL: What do you think of the Oilers signing Viljami Marjala?
🔘 A smart move — he’ll be a playmaker in the NHL
🔘 Too early to tell, but the potential is there
🔘 Not impressed — the Oilers should focus elsewhere
🔘 Don’t know enough about him
Let us know your thoughts below! 👇
Discover more from VIEWINFOR
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
