The Edmonton Oilers begin the 2026-27 season with a group of prospects in the pipeline who are decidedly shy of top-end skill. Beyond emerging winger Ike Howard and summer goaltending acquisition Devon Levi, both of whom will lose prospect status (defined as fewer than 50 NHL games) this season, the pool of young talent appears destined for depth or backup roles.<\/p>\n
Management (led by Stan Bowman) is working on acquiring bigger, more aggressive players who are effective in puck pursuit. Two years of hard work have paid off with some impressive additions. However, the goal now should be finding young players who can accomplish the most difficult task in the sport: scoring goals. Men like Howard, Quinn Hutson and Eduards Tralmaks are poised to push to add another offensive gear in Edmonton and Bakersfield this year.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at the current state of Edmonton\u2019s prospects, where they are now and what can be expected during the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n
Comings and goings since last September
\nAdded (11): Rudolfs Berzkalns, Ryan Cameron, Tomas Cibulka, Malcom Gastrin, Caden Harvey, Devon Levi, Owen Michaels, Aku R\u00e4ty, Andrew Robinson, Zach Sharp, Eduards Tralmaks
\nExits (7): Matt Copponi, Jayden Grubbe, James Hamblin, Matvei Petrov, Noah Philp, Albin Sundin, David Tomasek
\nGraduations (over 50 NHL games): Alec Regula, Matt Savoie
\nThe 2026-27 season<\/p>\n
Players listed with likely 2026-27 team.<\/p>\n
RD Beau Akey, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Akey turned pro last fall and showed the impressive skating skills he was known for in junior. He posted strong even-strength scoring numbers and was strong in coverage. Injuries followed him to pro hockey, and Akey missed a total of 30 games. In the 42 games he was in the Condors lineup, Akey proved he can excel at the level. Along with the speed, he\u2019s a good outlet passer. If Akey can repeat last season and avoid the injury list, we could see him in an NHL game this year. Overcoming lack of size (he\u2019s just 6-foot, 173 pounds) and staying healthy are his only issues.<\/p>\n
LD Asher Barnett, Michigan (Big Ten): It\u2019s difficult to imagine a more productive freshman college season than the one Barnett just delivered. He\u2019s 6-foot-1, 197 pounds at 19. He skates well, covers very well and loves the physical side of the game. He wins battles and can pass the puck, giving him a nice range of skills. If Barnett improves this season with the Wolverines, expect the Oilers to make a push in an attempt to sign him in the spring. Five years from now, we might look back on this list and consider Barnett the best defenceman in this group.<\/p>\n
LW Maxim Berezkin, Lokomotiv (KHL): Berezkin has the kind of skill set (power winger with good hands, reasonable speed) that translates smoothly to an NHL skill line. He has been an integral part of two KHL championship teams, as Lokomotiv took home the Gagarin Cup in 2025 and 2026. Berezkin signed a two-year KHL extension in the spring, and hopes of his playing in Edmonton are fading with each passing year (he turns 25 in October). He\u2019s 1-1-2 in two KHL regular season games this fall.<\/p>\n
LC Rudolfs Berzkans, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL): The living, breathing representation of the Oilers\u2019 current roster template, Berzkans is a fully formed checking centre with impressive suppression skills. Great in coverage, aggressive on the forecheck, wins faceoffs and is a strong penalty killer. He\u2019s 6-foot-4, 204 pounds and has good speed. He scored four goals and 10 points during the team\u2019s 16 playoff games, so he may have another gear offensively. His ceiling depends on his ability to score; he grades out well in all other areas. He has one more season in Muskegon, then it\u2019s off to Boston College.<\/p>\n
LD Bauer Berry, St. Thomas (WCHA): Berry will play his sophomore season in St. Thomas this season. He\u2019s 6-foot-4, 215 pounds (turns 21 in October) and delivers punishing hits. He can intimidate and defend well. Described as having a heavy stride, Berry\u2019s quickness will be key to a pro career, and he\u2019s likely two to three years from turning pro.<\/p>\n
LD Damien Carfagna, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Carfagna arrived in Bakersfield last fall and quickly emerged as the team\u2019s top outscoring defenceman at five-on-five. He\u2019s an excellent skater, passer and transporter. His puck retrieval is excellent, and he seldom gets caught in between in coverage. Carfagna\u2019s offence is solid, but he won\u2019t play much on an NHL power play. Like Akey, his lack of size (6-foot, 185 pounds) may cost him some NHL games. Carfagna is good enough to play for the Oilers as early as this season.<\/p>\n
G Ryan Cameron. Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL): Cameron played last season in the same league (with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders) as he\u2019ll play this year. His .882 save percentage in 40 games ranked 19th among qualified goaltenders in the league. He\u2019s a great athlete and won the NAHL goaltender of the year award in 2024-25. A seventh-round pick this summer for Edmonton, we are years from knowing how he turns out. The early resume is good.<\/p>\n
LD Tomas Cibulka, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Last fall, Oilers fans weren\u2019t sure what to expect from Bowman\u2019s European signings. After the success of Josh Samanski and others, expectations have been raised. Cibulka is a puck-moving defenceman with good speed and some chaos to his game. He\u2019s 6-foot, 176 pounds, so he belongs to the Carfagna-Akey family of players who are headed to the AHL. As he is not a famous prospect, it\u2019s difficult to project him into the North American game this fall. Bowman\u2019s European scouts delivered a year ago, so Cibulka will be a player to watch this season.<\/p>\n
LW Connor Clattenburg, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): The Oilers\u2019 biggest surprise a year ago, Clattenburg made it all the way to the NHL for five games (and scored a goal). He has an agitating style and surprisingly good hands. Injuries derailed much of his season, but a full campaign in Bakersfield playing a rugged style and refining those goal-scoring skills may get him a look at the NHL level in the future.<\/p>\n
G Nathaniel Day, Bakersfield Condors and Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL): Day was the No. 1 starter for the Komets last season, posting an .893 save percentage in 39 games. The save percentage ranked 49th among 59 qualified starters. Day has size (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), but the results lagged behind other goalie prospects in the system. He may see less time in a starting role during the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n
LC Maxim Denezhkin, Yekaterinburg Automobilist (KHL): Now 25, he\u2019s established as a depth forward in the KHL. Among Russian prospects whose North American playing rights belong to the Oilers, Denezhkin is the least likely to have success in North America. His game is flourishing at his current level, with his 2025-26 season easily his best. Denezhkin has played in one KHL game so far this season.<\/p>\n
LD Paul Fischer, Notre Dame (Big Ten): A scout described Fischer to me as being \u201ca great skater and a mean cuss,\u201d and the Oilers value that style of player in the Bowman era. He began last season on fire offensively (5-10-15 in the first 15 games) but then returned to a more normal pace (1-7-8 in the final 18 games). He hits hard but stays in position, and will be a priority to sign for Edmonton in the spring.<\/p>\n
LW Malcom Gastrin, MoDo (Allsvenskan): A 2026 draft pick (third round), we are still gathering intel on an intriguing skill winger. He was an impact player in various Swedish junior leagues, and scouting reports talk about his keen off-puck instincts and anticipation. It all sounds terrific, especially for a team starving for offensive difference makers, but he\u2019s 18 and miles away. Fans will get a better idea this season if Gastrin spends substantial time in the Allsvenskan (an excellent development league).<\/p>\n
LW Ike Howard, Edmonton Oilers (NHL): Howard had a strong AHL season, delivering 24 goals in 47 games and more than a point per game with the Condors. He showed improved effort away from the puck and emerged as a more responsible player after getting sent down. His 29 NHL games didn\u2019t show a great deal offensively (2-3-5), but he delivered when skating five-on-five with Connor McDavid and (especially) Leon Draisaitl. If the Oilers put Howard with Draisaitl all year long, the young winger is a solid bet to score 20-plus goals in 2026-27.<\/p>\n