NHL free agency is just days away and a new set of reports have come in regarding extension talks between the Oilers and key free agents. The <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-sign-key-forward-to-long-term-8-year-deal' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Edmonton Oilers continue to work diligently to bring back several key free agents.</a> With the NHL Draft concluding yesterday, the sole focus for Stan Bowman and the front office and now become re-signing players on expiring contracts. The Oilers currently have three massive expiring contracts belonging to Evan Bouchard, Corey Perry, and Jeff Skinner. This evening, a pair of reports gave an update on talks that are ongoing between the Oilers and Perry as well as Skinner. <h3>Edmonton Oilers Provide An Update On Extension Talks With A Pair Of Forwards</h3> The first update comes from NHL insider Pierre LeBrun regarding Corey Perry. According to LeBrun's sources, a contract extension between the Oilers and Perry has been difficult to come to with the Oilers lack of salary cap space. As a result, Perry is expected to test free agency while he keeps the door open on a return to the Oilers. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1939348842048012615'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> This seems to be a similar case for Jeff Skinner who according to Chris Johnston is also expected to test free agency. In Skinner's case it seems there is less optimism that the veteran forward is considering a return to the Oilers next season. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/mic_mazz/status/1939379731784225072'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> This information likely indicates that the Oilers will be without Perry and Skinner heading into next season unless something drastically changes before July 1st. As a result, the Oilers will have to rely heavily on some of the European free agents they signed as well as top prospect Matt Savoie to fill the voids in the lineup left by Perry and Skinner. As this situation continues to evolve, we will provide the latest news and updates on the Oilers free agency plans.