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Oilers Preseason Standout Atro Leppanen Explains Why He Signed Without a Guaranteed Roster Spot


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Tyler Ball
September 25, 2025  (9:04 PM)
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Edmonton Oilers defenseman Atro Leppanen playing in a pre-season game in the NHL.
Photo credit: Daily Hive

In a new interview, Edmonton Oilers new arrival Atro Leppanen spoke to the media and confirmed why the Oilers were the right team for him in free agency.

Atro Leppanen became one of the most sought after free agents out of Europe this summer after having a record breaking season in Finland's Liiga with Sport.
After much consideration and multiple suitors for his services Leppanen decided to sign a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite his record breaking season Leppanen's spot in the Edmonton Oilers' lineup this season is not guaranteed as the Oilers have plenty of competition for him to face.
So far, Leppanen has been a preseason standout leading many fans to hope he makes the opening night roster.
Last night, Leppanen played in his third pre-season game already and seems to continue proving he belongs with the big club once the new season begins.
In a new press conference, Leppanen spoke about competing for a roster spot and why he chose Edmonton over another team with less competition to face.

Oilers Defenseman Atro Leppanen Revealed Why Edmonton Was The Best Fit For Him

During the press conference, Leppanen was asked if the Oilers were the only team to reach out to him from the NHL and he confirmed other teams reached out but once the Oilers were an option he knew that's where he wanted to be.
They reached out in the spring, and another team did as well. It was an intuition choice. The Oilers had good players and nice plays, so it was a pretty easy decision.

As for facing competition, Leppanen knew what he signed up for and says he has been competing all of his life so this is nothing new.
So I'm kind of used to it, and it's just kind of grind it out. mean, it's definitely a tough lineup to crack. I think, I think there's a chance.

Leppanen continued and spoke about his upbringing and working factory jobs and other odd jobs alongside hockey during his youth and the work ethic that instilled in him.
I worked in factories and even in a museum, watching the paintings. Nobody touched the painting. Yeah, that was my job.
Now, Leppanen's full focus is on making the Edmonton Oilers roster and becoming one of the missing pieces that gets the team over the top this season to capture the Stanley Cup.
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Oilers Preseason Standout Atro Leppanen Explains Why He Signed Without a Guaranteed Roster Spot

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