Oilers Ink Defenceman Alec Regula to Two-Year Deal
The Edmonton Oilers have officially signed defenceman Alec Regula to a two-year, two-way contract extension with an average annual value of $775,000. Regula, who was claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins in December 2024, didn’t appear in a game this season due to injury but remained with the team during his recovery.
Standing 6’4″ and weighing 210 pounds, the 24-year-old right-shot defenceman was originally drafted 67th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2018. He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019 and went on to sign a three-year entry-level deal with them. Regula made his NHL debut in May 2021, playing in 22 games over three seasons. He also logged 108 games in the AHL with Chicago’s affiliate, tallying 12 goals and 39 assists.
In June 2023, he was dealt to the Bruins and spent the 2023–24 season with AHL Providence, where he recorded 4 goals, 22 assists, and an impressive +36 rating. The Bruins placed him on injured reserve before the 2024–25 campaign.
Commentary:
- Edmonton now has several defencemen under contract for next season, including Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Brett Kulak, and Troy Stecher — all but Nurse are in the final year of their deals. Evan Bouchard is a pending restricted free agent, while John Klingberg is unrestricted and increasing his market value with strong playoff performances. Ty Emberson was re-signed on a two-year, $1.3M deal, slightly higher than Regula’s contract.
- It’s hard to gauge what Regula will bring due to his injury absence, but he comes at a low cost. He could challenge Emberson for a spot on the third pairing. While Emberson held up well in the first playoff round against Los Angeles — particularly on the penalty kill — his limited size and puck skills likely keep him from a Top 4 role. Regula’s size could be a welcomed asset on the depth chart, though he’s not exactly a physical enforcer.
- Regula has past chemistry with Evan Bouchard from their time in junior with the London Knights. Upon Regula’s waiver claim, Bouchard remarked: “It’s good to see him again. Just having a player like that in the system is a big plus. He’s big, smart, and reads the game well — a good pick-up.”
- Regula had a standout 2023–24 season in the AHL, and Bruins prospect writer Dominic Tiano praised his shutdown abilities: “His defensive play is really turning heads. Everything I said about his lockdown skills is on display. He’s a plus-25 on a team that’s only plus-7 overall.”
- Back in his draft year, Tiano also noted Regula’s all-around abilities when he partnered with Bouchard in London: “He handles tough assignments well, anticipates plays smartly, and maintains excellent gap control. He’s difficult to beat one-on-one and shows promising offensive instincts, too — 7 goals and 18 assists in 67 games, second among rookie defencemen behind Rasmus Sandin.”
