The Edmonton Oilers may not have Anton Slepyshev on their roster next season, but they appear to be keeping the door open for a reunion in future.

According to the Edmonton Sun, the Oilers gave Slepyshev, who is expected to sign in the KHL on July 1, a qualifying offer to retain his rights moving forward.

 

Slepyshev scored six goals and posted 12 points in 50 games with the Oilers last season. Often a healthy scratch, reports indicated the 23-year-old was available on the trade market prior to the February deadline.

A native of Penza, Russia, Slepyshev spent five seasons in the KHL before joining the Oilers for the 2015-16 season. He scored 10 goals and posted 23 points in 102 games with the Oilers over the past three seasons.

Slepyshev was selected by the team in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft and will join Iiro Pakarinen as Oilers to leave for the KHL this offseason.

If Slepyshev elects to return to the NHL in the future, he will do so as a restricted free agent of the Oilers.