The 2025-26 season has been a wild ride for Edmonton Oilers prospects across the hockey world. In the NHL, Matt Savoie is establishing himself as an effective two-way forward with a motor that won’t quit. Several players from the AHL Bakersfield Condors have made brief appearances, and there are some interesting players matriculating in junior, college and European leagues. On the weekend after the NHL trade deadline, here’s a look at the Edmonton prospect pool at this moment.

Comings and goings since September
Graduated: Matt Savoie, Alec Regula (both passed 50 NHL games)
Added (1): Samuel Poulin (acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12)
Exits (2): Noah Philp (lost on waivers to Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 29); David Tomasek (waived and had his contract terminated in December)

Note: All statistics cited in this story are from before Friday, March 6.

The prospect pool

RD Beau Akey, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Akey is spending his first pro season in the AHL. He has shown exceptional skating ability and is the top defenceman on the team in even-strength goals (30-22, 58 percent). He has been used in both a feature role and as a third-pair option. Akey’s offence (2-8-10 in 36 games) reflects little power-play time despite good hands and mobility. Akey is trending up, but is some ways from the NHL, and there is no guarantee he’ll be able to push for a job in September. It has been an encouraging year, save for the games missed due to injury.

LD Asher Barnett, Michigan (Big Ten): Barnett has come a long way from draft day (fifth round in 2025). He had a reputation for being an effective defender, but his offence made news in the weeks after Barnett returned from playing for Team USA at the World Juniors. Just 18 and a graduate from the U.S. National Development team, Barnett stepped right in to a feature role with Michigan. He’s among the team leaders in goal share and has shown good offensive instincts. For a player to emerge this quickly in college hockey at 18 is impressive.

LW Maxim Berezkin, Lokomotiv (KHL): Berezkin is on the Oilers’ radar for a contract this summer, but had a tough first half in 2025-26. At 24, the big power forward (6-foot-4, 211 pounds) began the year scoring just two goals and 12 points in 35 KHL games. Since then, Berezkin scored 4-9-13 in 24 games. He’s off the blistering pace of 2024-25 (15-27-42 in 66 games) overall, but is still worth an NHL contract.

LD Bauer Berry, St. Thomas (CCHA): Berry was chosen in the seventh round of the 2024 draft, deep enough for him to be considered a long shot for the NHL. He arrived in college hockey this season with a reputation for good defensive awareness while also having the size (6-foot-4, 204 pounds at 19; he’s 20 now) this organization badly needs. He’s playing regularly and getting good results for St. Thomas. Berry is on the good side of the even-strength goal share and pitching in a little (3-8-11 in 33 games) on offence.

LD Damien Carfagna, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Carfagna is a player Oilers fans should see in the NHL over the next 12 months. He’s 23, undersized (6-feet, 185 pounds) and an outstanding skater in all directions. He fits the modern description of an NHL defenceman in that he can retrieve the puck quickly and find a good passing option. His offence (7-10-17 in 49 games) includes significant even-strength numbers (5-8-13), and his even-strength goal share (37-28, 57 percent) trails only Akey among Condors defenders.

LW Connor Clattenburg, Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Clattenburg is one of the real success stories for the Oilers this season. He impressed in training camp, delivered solid results in the AHL with the Condors and made it all the way to the NHL as a rookie pro. He has good hands (scored a goal in five NHL games) and makes room for himself as a thunderous hitter and a rambunctious skater. NHL Edge has him below 50 percent in max speed, but he gets there and arrives in ill humour. An absolute home run spike as a prospect this season, he’s currently injured.

RC Matt Copponi, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Drafted by Edmonton in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, he’s a long shot for the NHL. The organization signed him to an AHL deal, but he hasn’t played much (29 games), and his production is low (two goals, three points). Copponi is more productive in the ECHL (7-13-20 with the Fort Wayne Komets), but he’s 22 and burning daylight as an NHL prospect.

G Nathaniel Day, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Day has the kind of size teams look for in pro goalies (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and is playing regularly for the Komets in the ECHL. His save percentage (.889) ranks him second on the team, and he’s likely No. 7 on the Oilers’ goalie depth chart. He’s not playing well enough to push up the depth chart.

LC Maxim Denezhkin, Yekaterinburg Automobilist (KHL): Drafted in 2019 in the seventh round, it took a long time for Denezhkin to arrive in the KHL as a regular. Once there, he didn’t move the needle offensively until this season. In 2025-26, he delivered 15 goals and 26 points in 50 games. He remains a distant bell for an NHL contract, but his stock is up due to an offensive spike.

LD Cam Dineen, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Dineen is a quality AHL defender who can move the puck and mentor youth. He has played only 23 games this season due to injury, and his even-strength goal share (12-17, 41 percent) suggests he has played some of this season at less than 100 percent. He’s still quality and a recall option, but his stock is down this season.

LD Paul Fischer, Notre Dame (Big Ten): Another undersized defenceman who’s an excellent skater, Fischer just turned 21 and is in his junior college season. He began this year with offensive flair (5-10-15 in the first 15 games) but has fallen off to 0-4-4 in the last 15 games. Fischer is in a cluster of talent with Akey and Carfagna. All have two-way ability, and all are a little small for regular NHL work. Fischer will need to be signed after next season.

RC Jayden Grubbe, Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Grubbe is playing out the final year of his entry-level deal with Edmonton and is unlikely to receive a contract offer. After playing the first two seasons in the AHL, Grubbe is spending this year with the Komets in the ECHL. He missed 23 games due to injury, but is delivering (6-11-17 in 27 games, a plus in even-strength goal share) within expectations.

LW-C James Hamblin, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Players like Hamblin have extreme value to NHL teams. Hamblin is a plus centre in the AHL and can help young wingers like Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson develop. He’s also available for NHL recall if needed. His season splits (first half: 24 games, 8-4-12, 63 percent even-strength goal share; second half: 24 games, 14-9-23, 52 percent even-strength goal share) reflect his increased offensive role. He’s an outstanding AHL player.

LW Ike Howard, Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Howard is the most naturally talented player in the system now that Savoie has graduated from prospect status. Howard is a quality goal-scorer with plus passing and playmaking skill. As is the case with many new pros coming out of college, Howard hit a wall in the second half. His most recent 15 AHL games saw him score just five goals and 10 points, well off his early pace. Howard remains a brilliant prospect, and this season should be seen as a positive overall. He’s 2-3-5 in 28 games with the Oilers this season.

RW Quinn Hutson, Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Hutson’s first season out of college has a lot in common with Howard’s year. After starting 2025-26 on fire in the AHL (19-13-32 in 26 games) and earning an NHL recall, his second half (24 games, 6-9-15) has been a challenge. Overall, considering he was a college free-agent signing last spring, Hutson’s year is encouraging.

LW Roby Jarventie, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): The Oilers were looking for a healthy season from the injury-prone Jarventie, but have received so much more. He owns a strong 57 percent goal share at even strength in the AHL and has scored 16-18-34 in 48 games. The case can be made for Jarventie as the best forward on the Bakersfield roster in recent weeks. There has been no recall, but he looks ready.

G Samuel Jonsson, Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Jonsson is a significant NHL prospect. At 6-foot-5, 217 pounds, he has the kind of size Edmonton looks for in net. After dominating Sweden’s Allsvenskan one year ago, Jonsson’s first North American season is being spent in the ECHL. He sports the best numbers for the Komets (.911 save percentage and a 2.36 goals-against average) and should be an AHL regular next season.

LC William Nicholl, London Knights (OHL): Among Edmonton’s later draft picks in recent years, Nicholl may have the most NHL promise. He lost significant time this year due to injury, but has performed well (25 games, 10-10-20) since returning to the Knights. He’s a burner with good hands and turns 20 in May. The Oilers have yet to sign him, and the injury may give the organization pause. Nicholl salvaged what looked like a lost season not long ago.

RW Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers (WHL): Like Nicholl, Lafreniere is a player you notice because he’s always in the play. He showed well in the fall at Oilers camp with plus speed and impressive skill. He’s aggressive and contests on every play. He’s 33-33-66 in 59 games for the Blazers and has taken a step forward in his draft-plus-one season.

LW David Lewandowski, Saskatoon Blades (WHL): Lewandowski is a two-way winger who (like Lafreniere) is showing growth this year after being drafted last summer. His offence was strong in the first half (26 games, 8-20-28) and has continued in the second half (25 games, 8-23-31). He has a range of skills without a dominant trait.

LD Atro Leppänen, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Older Oilers fans were excited about Leppänen’s scouting report: Finnish defender with creativity and some chaos. The Oilers have employed many who fit the description over the years. Early in the season, things looked grim, but Leppänen has his even-strength goal share at 45 percent and has delivered 8-19-27 in 36 games. The Oilers signed him to an extension during the season, and NHL time in the fall seems likely.

LW-C Viljami Marjala, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Marjala arrived with strong Liiga (Finland) numbers and a reputation for good speed and plus skill. He’s been better than that in Bakersfield, scoring 13-31-44 in 55 games and displaying great playmaking ability. An NHL recall is unlikely (there’s no room), but he has impressed.

RC Aidan Park, Michigan (Big Ten): Edmonton took Park in the seventh round of the 2025 draft out of the USHL. He was 19 on draft day (older than most) and had yet to play college hockey. This year at Michigan (8-7-15 in 34 games), he’s showing well. An article by William Doughes at NHL.com quotes Michigan coach Brandon Naurato: “I think his best attribute is his hockey IQ. You’ve really got to watch him and then spend time with him to appreciate it. We see him down the road being used in all situations and a leader on this team.”

RW Matvey Petrov, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Petrov remains money in the shootout and shows flashes of skill, but the final year of his entry-level deal has been a disappointment. He has just one goal in his last 10 games and is on the fringes of the Bakersfield roster. A change of scenery is likely for next season.

LW Samuel Poulin, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): The Oilers acquired Poulin midseason, which added a rugged edge to the Condors’ forward group. He has delivered (6-11-17 in 31 games, 51 percent even-strength goal share) despite inconsistent offence. He’s a unique player for Bakersfield, and should get increased playing time for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

G Daniel Salonen, Lukko Rauma (Liiga): The Oilers took Salonen in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. He’s a co-starter in the Liiga with Lukko Rauma (shares the net with former NHL player Antti Raanta) and owns an .887 save percentage. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he’s a little below average for an Oilers goalie prospect but is playing in an excellent league at 20. His stock is up slightly.

LC Josh Samanski, Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors (AHL): No player has done more to improve his stock than Samanski. He arrived in Bakersfield and moved up the depth chart quickly. He went 5-18-23 in 29 games in the first half, earned an NHL recall, and is 8-23-31 in 44 games overall with the Condors this year. Edmonton’s deadline trade activity probably has him finishing this season in the AHL, but Samanski has put himself in a position for a real NHL future next season.

RW James Stefan, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Stefan has played 50 ECHL games over the last two seasons, scoring 23 goals. He has played 51 AHL games and has scored three goals. He’s 22, and his peak so far in his career is a fringe AHL player. An outstanding junior scorer, his outer marker appears to be similar to Petrov.

LW Brady Stonehouse, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Stonehouse is in a similar spot to Stefan on the Oilers’ prospect depth chart. Dividing his time between Bakersfield (nine games, three points) and Fort Wayne (6-10-16 in 37 games), he hasn’t shown enough to play a feature role in the ECHL at this time. He’s 21 and has time, but appears to be on the same career path as Stefan.

RD Albin Sundin, Timra IK (SweHL): Sundin is 21 and playing his first full season in the top Swedish league. He’s right-handed, which gives him extra value. Sundin ranks second on Timra IK in even-strength ice time and takes a regular penalty-killing shift. He’s average in size (6-foot-1, 198 pounds). Sundin’s heavy deployment at a young age is a positive sign.

G Connor Ungar, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Ungar created a buzz this season among Oilers fans when he delivered stunning ECHL results. Edmonton was looking for a way to get its large number of goalies to work, and Ungar was loaned out to several teams in the league. He then played well in Bakersfield later in the winter and will arrive in the spring as one of the more famous prospects in the system. He’s a smaller goalie, but the AHL save percentage (.926 in 12 games) leads the Condors by some margin. He should be on the Bakersfield roster this fall, providing he re-signs with the Oilers (he’s a restricted free agent after this season).

G Eemil Vinni, Jokipojat Joensuu (Mestis) and Ketterä (Mestis): Vinni is a substantial prospect for Edmonton, a second-round selection in 2024. The only other goalie drafted in the second round by Edmonton in recent years was Olivier Rodrigue in 2018. Vinni had a pedestrian season until loaned to Ketterä, where he delivered a .951 regular season save percentage and a .940 save percentage in the playoffs. A small sample, but his work on loan for Ketterä saved his season.

RC Dalyn Wakely, UMass-Lowell (Hockey-East): Wakely is a skill forward who jumped from the OHL to the NCAA at 21. He’s an effective player for offensively challenged UMass-Lowell, sitting second in team scoring with 18 points in 32 games. He has had success on the power play this season and stands to increase his playing time next year. Wakely was a sixth-round pick in 2024 and is an uncertain signing when he’s done college hockey.

LD Nikita Yevseyev, Kazan Ak Bars (KHL): Yevseyev is a fascinating story. Chosen by the Oilers in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, he played in the KHL (48 games) that fall. Now, at 21, he’s moving the needle for Kazan Ak Bars, playing 19 minutes per game. His even-strength goal share (36-28, plus-8) and offence (4-12-16 in 58 games) indicate he is establishing himself as a bona fide player in a strong league. The Oilers have had mixed results with Russian players over the years, but Yevseyev is trending in a good direction.

Summary

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman should be credited with improving the Condors in a material way. The prospects he signed should be credited with delivering exceptional results. Samanski was an unknown one year ago, and he has an excellent chance to be on the Oilers’ opening-night roster next season. Hutson also has a chance, with Marjala, Leppänen and others in the mix for next season.

The top prospect is now Howard. He’s a pure talent with room to grow. His NHL time will come, possibly this fall.