New San Jose Sharks winger Warren Foegele is opening up about his time with the Edmonton Oilers, admitting that his performance there didn’t meet his own expectations. After signing a three-year deal with San Jose in free agency, the 28-year-old expressed a desire for a fresh start and a bigger role, something he felt was missing during his stint in Edmonton.
Foegele played three seasons with the Oilers, finishing with a career-high 20 goals in 2023–24. Despite the personal milestone, he felt his overall impact fell short of what he’s capable of contributing on the ice. He noted that while Edmonton gave him a chance to compete at a high level, the consistency and usage just weren’t aligned with how he sees himself as a player.
The Sharks, who are in the midst of a rebuild, are offering Foegele an opportunity to play more minutes and take on a leadership role with a younger roster. Foegele said the chance to grow his game and take on new responsibilities factored heavily into his decision to join San Jose.
While his departure from Edmonton came after a long playoff run that ended in a Stanley Cup Final loss, Foegele made it clear he’s grateful for the experience. Still, he emphasized the need for a situation where he can play to his full potential on a nightly basis — something he’s hopeful to find with the Sharks.
Foegele will be expected to bring veteran presence and two-way play to San Jose, a team looking to build a stronger identity moving forward. With a bigger role on the horizon, the former Oiler is aiming to prove that his best hockey is still ahead of him.
