{"id":259213,"date":"2026-04-09T11:33:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259213\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:33:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:33:44","slug":"william-nicholl-and-tommy-lafreniere-take-the-next-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259213\/","title":{"rendered":"William Nicholl and Tommy Lafreniere take the next step"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Edmonton <\/p>\n

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

William Nicholl just gave the Oilers one more reason to keep a close eye on Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

The Condors announced that Nicholl and Tommy Lafreniere have signed amateur tryouts, a clean late-season move that puts 2 recent Oilers draft picks straight into the pro mix.<\/p>\n

Nicholl will wear 56. Lafreniere will wear 54. Those details matter because this is no paper transaction buried at the end of a long day.<\/p>\n

It signals Edmonton want both players around the Condors now, inside the room, around the bench, and getting a first look at the pace of the American league.<\/p>\n

That’s where the real value starts. An ATO is less about instant offense and more about getting young players into a pro schedule, pro meetings, and pro habits before next fall.<\/p>\n

For Bakersfield, it also adds fresh bodies at the right time. Coaches want options, especially when the lineup gets stretched by injuries, call-ups, and the grind of back-to-backs.<\/p>\n

Edmonton are feeding more youth into Bakersfield<\/p>\n

The bigger picture is easy to see. Edmonton are still pushing through a season where the club sits at 39-29-10, and that puts even more focus on what’s developing under them.<\/p>\n

When the NHL club is fighting for points, the farm team becomes even more important. Bakersfield need players who can step into a role, absorb systems quickly, and keep the pace up.<\/p>\n

Nicholl is the more interesting name in this move because he lands first in the headline and gives the Condors another player to evaluate up close.<\/p>\n

That doesn’t mean Lafreniere is just along for the ride. The organization assigned him a number immediately, and that usually tells you they want him visible and integrated right away.<\/p>\n

The next step won’t be about stat chasing. It’ll be about how they handle puck touches under pressure, how quickly they sort coverage, and whether they can keep plays alive off the wall.<\/p>\n

That’s what ATO signings are really for. Coaches learn who can survive a pro forecheck, who can help the special teams picture later, and who still needs more junior seasoning.<\/p>\n

For Edmonton, this is smart timing. Knoblauch is coaching a team still leaning on every point it can get, and the Oilers need Bakersfield feeding the pipeline with players already used to the pro environment.<\/p>\n

So this transaction may look small on the surface, but it has real weight. William Nicholl and Tommy Lafreniere are no longer just names on a draft list. They’re in Bakersfield now, and the evaluation starts immediately.<\/p>\n

Previously on Edmonton Hockey Daily<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

18 HOURS AGO|58 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Two prospects earn ATO deals: William Nicholl and Tommy Lafreniere take the next step<\/p>\n

Will William Nicholl play a meaningful Condors role before this season ends ?<\/p>\n

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