Matheson: This Oilers forward is heading back to Europe. What happened?

When last we saw David Tomasek at Rogers Place, it wasn’t on the ice.

He was on the big screen, wishing one and all a Happy Christmas season.

And, now, it’s bah humbug for the Czech-born, defending Swedish Hockey League scoring champion, who gave the NHL a shot at 29, but mutually has agreed to an Edmonton Oilers contract termination, as of Dec. 28, to return to Europe.

He just wasn’t a fit here, through no fault of his own.

In the end, he lost the numbers game with so many forwards here, no room in the top six even on the wing, not his natural centre, with Zach Hyman returning from his dislocated wrist rehab in November, and the surging free-agent signee Jack Roslovic in the picture on a second line. Also, a crowded bottom six with Adam Henrique and Curtis Lazar at centre and Matt Savoie, Andrew Mangiapane, Trent Frederic, Mattias Janmark and Kasperi Kapanen (knee, LTIR) coming back very soon.

“David displayed a great attitude and work ethic trying to get into the line-up, and although it didn’t work out as he hoped, he always came to the rink ready to work and trying to improve his play. We wish him the best of luck as he continues his season in Europe,” said GM Stan Bowman, who signed the player to a one-way, $1.2 million deal after flying to Sweden during the 4Nations Face-off, intrigued by his offence in Sweden, his big shot and playmaking.

Unfortunately, the experiment fizzled with Tomasek coming over with his wife.

Maybe Bowman put some trade feelers out for Tomasek, but playing only 22 Oiler games, the interest elsewhere would have been minimal. Tomasek could also have agreed to go to Bakersfield on the $1.2 million contract if he cleared normal waivers, with the Oilers burying $1.15 million of that and the rest counting against their NHL cap.

But Tomasek doesn’t want to play in the minors.

So a termination now works for both sides.

Tomasek did get paid about $600,000 for his half a season’s work, and he can top that up with whatever he gets with a European team now. So he’ll be fine on payday. And the Oilers can use Tomasek’s $1.2 million cap hit now on something else, so that is a benefit, with Kapanen’s $1.3 million will shortly be coming off LTIR.

Going back to Europe is the best thing for Tomasek, certainly mentally, after his three goals and five points, because after playing 11 games in October, he had only played 11 the last two months, just four in December. Oiler coach Kris Knoblauch gave him ample ice time the first month, on the wing basically, but over the last two months, he had clearly not warmed to the player that Bowman had signed. If using Tomasek, it was basically on the fourth line where he was totally miscast as an offensive guy who doesn’t kill penalties.

He averaged 12:20 the first month, then 9:21 in seven games in November and 8:50 in four games before Christmas. His last game was in Toronto on Dec. 13 to kick off the Oilers’ five-game road trip, and he was on the fourth line, playing 8:18 minutes.

He played 22 games and sat for 16, his last three 5:41 against Buffalo, 8:33 against Detroit and 8:18 against the Maple Leafs. He never complained because he’s a good person and a good pro who moved around, playing in his homeland, in Finland, in Russia and Sweden, and was also part of Czechia’s stirring world championship victory in 2024, and still has a slim chance of making their 2026 Olympic team in February.

As his playing time dwindled, he tried to keep a stiff upper lip.

“I’m learning a lot about myself. I thought I knew things, but I don’t. It’s a big mental challenge, finding a way to play the NHL game. I have a lot of respect for the guys in Europe who’ve had to do that job, not playing much,” Tomasek said in November.

“Gives you a different perspective, but I’m trying to stay positive. I didn’t expect to be in the same (top gun) NHL role I was in Europe.”

He never got a role here. He was on the power play to start with Hyman out, but he didn’t click. He did set up Leon Draisaitl for his 400th NHL goal on opening night with a beautiful pass, though. When he couldn’t supplant the veteran Henrique as 3C, or even playing there on the wing, the handwriting was on the wall. At centre, Knoblauch values Henrique’s strong two-way game, his 55 percent of face-offs and his PK work, even as Henrique has struggled offensively–no goals in over two months.

He wanted to give the NHL a shot at his age, not wanting any shoulda, wouldas.

And it didn’t work out, seeing the bright lights for the first time, experiencing it early on with a much-younger NHL rookie, Ike Howard, 21.

“I wasn’t good enough when I was that age,” Tomasek said in October.

“A 29-year-old probably enjoys it more. He had more blood, sweat and tears and probably thought (NHL) was never going to happen,” said Knoblauch, looking at the dichotomy of a veteran versus a college player making their NHL debuts.

“I had a great life in Europe, but chose to come here freely, to experience the NHL,” Tomasek said during training camp. “It was about having no regrets, of never having tried to come over here. One day, I want to tell my kids or grandkids that I did all I could in hockey. Took 10 years in Europe, a lot of work, for this (opportunity).”

In the final analysis, he signed with the wrong NHL team. He liked the way the Oilers played, knew they had been to two straight Cup finals. He also knew that this was where the late Czech winger Petr Klima played, and he had also played with Petr’s sons back in Czechia, for more attachment, and he had played against ex-Oiler Ladislav Smid in Europe, too.

But his best chance at centre was 3C with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl running the show in the middle. But with Knoblauch playing the savvy Henrique, who reached the 1,000 point plateau in October, every game, and with the rise of rookie Savoie as a top 9 RW and Mangiapane a summer free-agent signee, his shot at a third-line spot was very limited.

And Knoblauch liked Lazar better as a 4C for his PK and face-off expertise, also a right-shot like Tomasek. He’s even tried Frederic as 4C, with Tomasek clearly having his nose pressed up against the glass.

Tomasek, who played the past two SHL seasons in Farjestads with another ex-Oiler Euro signee Joakim Nygaard, racking up 49 goals and 102 points in 99 games, may rejoin his old Swedish team that is sixth in the SHL, barely over .500.

This’n that: With the NHL Christmas break roster freeze ending at 12:01 am Dec. 28, the Oilers could be making some other moves after the Dec. 27 game with the Flames in Calgary Saturday. Connor Clattenburg (eye) might come off LTIR and go back to Bakersfield. If D Jake Walman (broken foot, Nov. 20 in Tampa) is ready to come off LTIR, then call-up Riley Stillman would return to the AHL. Noah Philp (concussion) has also been on LTIR.