The Edmonton Oilers could do a hell of a lot worse than this handy veteran pivot. In a series evaluating players, coaches, and management decisions for the upcoming off-season, veteran center Curtis Lazar is the latest focus.
Curtis Lazar's Journey Back to Edmonton
The thirty-one-year-old journeyman landed in 2025-26 in the very city where it all started for him. After almost six hundred regular season games between Ottawa, Calgary, Buffalo, Boston, Vancouver, and New Jersey, Lazar returned to Edmonton, where he was an exemplary WHL Oil King for four seasons and won a Memorial Cup championship. Notably, he scored in triple overtime to seal the semi-final victory in that tournament.
Lazar was drafted in Round One, #17 overall by the Senators in 2013. While his pro career has not mirrored his excellent junior showing, he has been an honest and useful pro. In 617 NHL games, he has 51 goals, 80 assists, and 131 points. He has also played in 35 Stanley Cup Playoff matches. Forty-five of those games came as an Oiler, where he recorded 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points, along with five post-season appearances.
Versatility and Contributions
With the Oilers, Lazar proved to be a bit of a Swiss Army Knife. He played all three forward positions, contributed on the penalty kill, and was relied upon as a faceoff man, winning 61.2% of his draws. Lazar also chipped in physically, laying 95 hits despite averaging just 8:55 of ice time per game, a relatively high rate. Additionally, he is a right-handed shot.
There has been concern about whether Lazar could still keep up. A knee injury robbed him of some speed, but he recovered and now moves well enough for his role. At one year and the league minimum of $775,000, it is difficult to argue that Lazar did not deliver as hoped. His coach's management of him could have been better, but he has more to give.
Keep, Hold, or Fold?
Now a pending unrestricted free agent, the Oilers must decide whether to bring him back. As long as general manager Stan Bowman does not overpay, Lazar can be a useful depth player. The NHL is full of players like him, but the difference is that Lazar understands Edmonton. He is demonstrably happy to be back, an asset in the locker room, and active in the community.
Some may worry that Lazar would block a younger talent, but he would likely be a thirteenth forward. He knows his role and can step in when needed without stalling development. In short, as a 13th forward on a good team like the Oilers, you could do a hell of a lot worse than Curtis Lazar. The verdict: Keep.
