In his season-ending media availability on Saturday, Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman surprised legions of fans by saying he anticipated just a few changes over the summer. Bowman spoke of young players having an impact in 2025-26, specifically wingers Vasily Podkolzin and Matt Savoie, and he looked forward to more of them pushing for NHL jobs.

Bowman mentioned two prospect forwards who played most of the year for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson, as players who might push for NHL work in 2026-27. How many Condors could fly north? It’s a long list, and there is an additional college free-agent signing worth discussing. Here are five players who could have roles for the big club next season.

Ike Howard

As currently constructed, the Oilers’ skill left wingers are Podkolzin and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Things may change, but Howard is most likely to make his debut with the Oilers in the fall on the third line. Howard did see NHL time, but the heart of his season came in Bakersfield. Here are his splits:

CategoryFirst halfSecond Half

Games

16

31

Scoring

10G, 23PTS

14G, 27PTS

EV Scoring

8G, 17PTS

9G, 19PTS

EV GF-GA

23-9

22-33

EV scoring Pct

72

40

All numbers via AHL.com

Howard is clearly a legit offensive prospect (over a point-per-game). There’s a playmaker skill set along with the (more touted) goal-scoring gear. The gap from first to second half, especially in even-strength goal share, can be explained by looking at previous college prospects who graduated. It’s a tough transition from playing mostly weekends in college to the pro leagues and a more gruelling schedule.

Howard’s numbers tell us he’s a talent, but is he improving as a two-way player? The eye test is positive, as reports from the farm have him improving when not in possession of the puck and taking on a more substantial role. That will be key if he’s going to take his ideal spot in the Oilers lineup, playing left wing on Leon Draisaitl’s line. He is helping to suppress opponents’ offence, and has the skill to score goals at five-on-five. That’s an NHL player.

Quinn Hutson

Bowman mentioned Hutson by name, and that’s an indication that the young winger is in the conversation for next season’s roster. The rookie pro scored 30 goals on 199 shots over 67 games. That’s a 15.1 percent shooting percentage, second only to Howard (15.9 percent) among rookie wingers on the Condors. Hutson has a strong two-way reputation and showed well in some audition time with the big club.

Like Howard, there are roadblocks for Hutson on the NHL roster. Savoie and Zach Hyman could occupy the top two spots, and there’s a good chance Kasperi Kapanen will be re-signed by the team over the summer. Hutson’s range of skills (two-way player with good offensive skills) allows him to compete for a spot on the third and fourth lines. He could supplant a veteran like Mattias Janmark with a solid training camp.

Roby Jarventie

Jarventie came over from the Ottawa Senators and took some time to adjust and get completely healthy. However, 2025-26 saw him blossom. Late in the season, Jarventie emerged as a real prospect and could land with the Oilers next season. He’s a good skater and passer, and he held that production through a second half of struggles for Bakersfield:

CategoryFirst HalfSecond Half

Games

30

31

Scoring

12G, 24PTS

11G, 23PTS

EV Scoring

8G, 18PTS

9G, 19PTS

EV GF-GA

25-18

20-21

EV scoring Pct

58

49

All numbers via AHL.com

Jarventie was remarkably consistent in both the first and second halves of the season. That’s impressive, since most Condors hit a wall similar to the one Howard’s numbers reveal above. In that period, Jarventie moved up the depth chart and became a key member of the Bakersfield club.

We don’t know the team’s internal evaluation of these players, but Jarventie was the most consistent performer among forwards in the Condors second half. He’s NHL-ready.

Damien Carfagna

It’s going to take a little longer for Bowman’s college defencemen to make an NHL impact, but Carfagna isn’t that far behind Hutson. His quality 2025-26 season with the Condors featured exceptional splits

CategoryFirst HalfSecond Half

Games

30

36

Scoring

3G, 10PTS

4G, 12PTS

EV Scoring

1G, 6PTS

4G, 12PTS

EV GF-GA

25-19

28-21

EV Scoring Pct

57

57

All numbers via AHL.com

Carfagna’s performance level was splendid all year. His strengths are foot speed and mobility, plus quick reaction defensively. He was easily the Condors’ best defenceman during the season, impressive for a rookie out of college. He’s not a big defenceman, but makes up for it with quickness.

Bowman’s attention to the NCAA is strong, and Carfagna could be the first of many who land in Edmonton. Asher Barnett blossomed in his draft plus one season, and Carfagna is a real find based on his first pro season. Not signing Paul Fischer looms large (Edmonton could lose him for nothing after his senior season, similar to John Marino several years ago), but the college defenceman pipeline is impressive already.

If he makes the NHL, Carfagna’s speed will make him an attractive option for the coaching staff.

Owen Michaels

College players can arrive in a hurry, and based on his scouting report and skill set, Owen Michaels could be in the picture for the organization in the next 12 months. When he was signed, reports described Michaels as a player with good size, speed and two-way acumen. His work ethic gets mentioned often, and that’s ideal for the Oilers. Michaels is 22; his college numbers (62 points in his final 81 games) suggest he’ll be able to move the needle offensively. We don’t know if he’ll win enough battles or faceoffs, but the scouts are shopping in good places, and Michaels may play well enough in Bakersfield to see NHL ice later in 2026-27.

Bottom line

There are more Bakersfield candidates for NHL work, and men like Maxim Berezkin who have proven themselves in the KHL and will be looking for opportunities this fall. Considering the positional need, value of already having played in Bakersfield, and the fact right-handed centres have high value (Michaels), these five men are the most likely to crash the crease with the Oilers in 2026-27.