It appears Ales Kotalik is out of the picture in Edmonton.
Despite scoring seven goals in 19 games with Edmonton last year, which translates to about 30 over the course of a full season, the Czech winger will be testing the market Wednesday morning.
He has no choice. With one day to go before he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency, he hasn't even seen a pitch from Edmonton.
"He's never received an offer, so it's pretty straightforward," said Kotalik's agent Larry Kelly, adding Kotalik truly wanted to remain in Edmonton.
"He was happy to stay there. He enjoyed it, he said the fans love the game, they understand it. What can he do?"
The Oilers will now hope this doesn't turn into another Curtis Glencross situation, where a good, moderately priced player who wants to be here winds up flourishing somewhere else.
Meanwhile in goal, the Oilers do not expect to have Dwayne Roloson signed before Wednesday.
The sides aren't close right now and it's hard to imagine a deal getting done in the next 24 hours.
The 39-year-old goalie wants a two-year contract, the team only really needs him for one. Giving two years' worth of money in a one-year deal is bad for Edmonton's cap.
Somebody will have to blink and that's not likely to happen until both sides get a chance to explore what's out there in the open market.
If he isn't signed by July 1, it doesn't mean they can't still get him on the 15th.
"Players have signed with their respective clubs after July 1," said Oilers assistant GM Rick Olczyk, adding July 1 doesn't close the door on Edmonton, it merely opens it for 29 other teams.
"Either the team steps up or the player realizes there's not as much interest out there, so they want to talk again."
Defenceman Jason Strudwick doesn't have a deal, either, but is still in the Oilers' plans. He's a tough and affordable ($650,000 last year) team player who brought a lot to the club last year.
"He's definitely on the radar to get done," said Olczyk.
"If it gets done before July 1, great, if we don't we'll make sure it gets done shortly thereafter."
