The second-worst pipeline in our ranking still has two quality pro prospects in Matt Savoie and Rudolfs Berzkalns, who should materially help the Oilers long-term. The problem is that after them, there’s next to nothing in this farm system.

2025 ranking: 31

2026 NHL Draft grade: C-

Player Ranking 1. Matt Savoie, C

Jan. 1, 2004 | 5-foot-10 | 179 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 9 in 2022
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Savoie had a fine season for the Oilers, providing some secondary scoring depth. He’s an excellent skater with great tempo and energy in his play. Savoie is a likable player in that regard; the issue is that, for a smaller forward, he’s not overly dynamic. He has good skill and vision, and makes plays with pace, but the puck play isn’t high-end. He projects as a bottom-six winger.

2. Rūdolfs Bērzkalns, C

March 3, 2008 | 6-foot-4 | 204 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 58 in 2026
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Bērzkalns is a clear NHL-caliber athlete. He’s a big, strong center with good foot speed and the ability to overpower junior defenders. He has direct skill and can beat opponents one-on-one. He’s not overly creative with the puck, and the way he attacks is basic. His two-way play and effort level are good enough, though, that he could become a useful bottom-six forward/depth player.

3. Asher Barnett, D

May 16, 2007 | 6-foot-1 | 198 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 131 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Barnett is a highly competitive defenseman. He’s a strong skater, too, who can defend at a high level. The offense in his game has been a significant question at times, although he did score at a reasonable clip in college this year. Despite his average skill level, he’s often trusted by coaches, especially when the games get heavy. He could be a third-pair defenseman.

4. Ike Howard, LW

March 30, 2004 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 31 in 2022
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Howard was quite good in the AHL following up his Hobey Baker season in college. He’s a very skilled offensive player who can make a lot happen inside the offensive zone. He sees the ice well, is a shifty skater and can create offense with good enough pace. He also has a very good shot that can finish chances from mid-range. Howard isn’t the biggest winger, and while he’s not soft and can create at the net, he doesn’t have the super high compete level you would ideally like at his size. His path to playing is to just score a ton, but I’m not completely sold that his skill is that elite.

5. David Lewandowski, LW

Feb. 20, 2007 | 6-foot-1 | 177 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 117 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Lewandowski has the speed and skill to contribute at higher levels and be interesting as an NHL prospect. On his best shifts when he’s playing with pace and creating chances, he looks like an NHL player. I wouldn’t call him a true playmaker, though. His compete was more consistent last season as a top player for his WHL club and showed more physicality. He has a path to becoming a bottom-six winger.

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2026, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.