The last time Edmonton Oilers won Stanley, the club had several impressive young players on the roster. As you can see, Martin Gelinas (who had a long and impressive career) and Geoff Smith (a draft win who arrived as an echo for the Barry Fraser 1980’s drafts) were among them.
The list of players who were 22 or younger at the start of 1989-90 is jarring in its scope and future thump-60: Billy Ranford, Craig Simpson and Kelly (take ’em wide, Bucky!) Buchberger were 22; Adam Graves and Joe Murphy were 21; Smith was 20 and Gelinas 19.
This version of the Oilers, the latest Stanley Cup hopeful from Edmonton, does not have a long list of 19-22 year olds playing in this postseason. In fact, there are none.
The youngest players who have played for this year’s Oilers in the postseason are Vasily Podkolzin (turns 24 in late June), Ty Emberson (turns 25 next week), Evan Bouchard (turns 26 in October) and Stuart Skinner (turns 27 in November).
The Oilers are trying to build a champion a different way, and that’s fine. There’s more than one way to get things done.
What is interesting, to me, is the list of players ‘bubbling under’ who could make the roster (even for a cup of coffee at the end of the 2025-26 season) next year. Here’s a quick and incomplete list.
Samuel Jonsson is under the radar now, and who knows maybe he spends another season in Sweden. However, the big goalie is signed and coming off a monster season in the Allsvenskan. Book him passage to Bakersfield, but maybe buy an open ticket for a flight to Edmonton later in the year. The Oilers are better at identifying goalies than they’ve been since Fraser went Moog-Fuhr in 1980-81, and Jonsson is the rising star of the group.
Atro Leppänen is 26, a left-shot defenseman. He scored more than a point-per-game in the Liiga, a very good European league. He led the league in points. I dream he is the modern Reijo Ruotsalainen and you can’t stop me.
Matthew Savoie is an obvious name. He had a solid debut season with the Bakersfield Condors and should see significant NHL action in 2025-26. He could occupy a feature role and has an outside chance at getting Calder votes.
Quinn Hutson is 23, and has (like Savoie) played in NHL games (2). I suspect he’ll see NHL action but will be a mid-season recall for the Oilers from Bakersfield. He has skill, an area of need for this team. It’ll come down to boots and opportunity in my opinion.
Sam O’Reilly is showing well and delivering on his fairly complete skill set in the OHL playoffs currently. He is eligible for another year of junior, so wouldn’t be an opening night option. I can see him getting a cup of coffee based on his resume (RH center, two-way player, has a rugged side) and team needs.
Noah Philip turns 27 at the end of August, so doesn’t fit the spirit of the department of youth conversation we’re having today. However, he is not an established NHL player, and does have NHL ability. He played 15 NHL games this season. He could make the opening night roster.
Josh Samanski is 23, a big pivot and someone who could push Philp for the last job among forwards on the roster. He played in the DEL this year, so we’ll have to watch him closely in preseason to make sure the hands are legit, but he is intriguing.
David Tomasek is 29, and miles outside the traditional definition of a prospect. He has an excellent chance to make the team in the fall, with established offensive ability in a fine league.
Damien Carfagna has a nice resume coming out of college, and we’ve learned not to pre-judge these young men based on stats (hello, John Marino). I don’t think he’s a strong option for 2025-26 NHL play. Beyond that, we wait.
Finally, Alec Regula. He hasn’t played much in the NHL, but he is young and Stan Bowman liked him enough to acquire him.
This list is a sign that Bowman acknowledges a gap between what will be available opening night from the system. It isn’t enough. He added names who could be on the roster for Game 1 (Leppänen, Tomasek, Regula). The scouting department is procuring some interesting names (Jonsson, O’Reilly, Hutson) and we’ll see if any of these players makes a dent next season.
Bowman has been active in building Edmonton’s possible future. I’m most excited about Leppänen, Jonsson, Savoie, O’Reilly and Philp. We wait.
Friday finally arrives! We’ll tee up the weekend, and talk about the Oilers next opponent. We’ll also talk Leafs, Hurricanes, plus NBA, MLB and more. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio, Radioplayer Canada, it’s available post-show on apple and spotify, and we tweet it out on X.
Winning in 5 and waiting for everyone else to finish up is such a unique experience as an Oiler fan. Not only do they get the much needed rest, I feel like it put extra pressure on the Stars to “hold serve” and finish off the Jets, but they choked on that. Either team is going to be tough, so I hope they continue to hammer away at each other.
For next years contracts/cap situation it would go a long way if the Oilers win the cup. Much easier to get guys to waive NMCs when they’re leaving with a ring on their finger.
Im also cool with rolling back out the same goalie tandem if it means locking up Bouchard and keeping together as much as this roster as possible. That’s one of the value areas we have.
As far as whether Arvi will waive his NMC or not, it’s notable that he will be a free agent in one year. I think a priority for him will be to play next season, and it isn’t necessarily a given that he’ll be a regular in the Oilers lineup next season.
If I’m Kyle Davidson, I’d happily trade a non-NHL player on the 50-man, to be able to turn Arvi into a 2nd round pick at the deadline next season. And if I’m Arvi, I’d happily waive my NMC to play with Bedard, rack up points with ample PP time, before being traded to a contender at the deadline.
The most important thing next year is them not handing out a bunch of new contracts/keeping guys around “because playoffs”.
Still need to be strategic, upgrade, and move some out. The teams that keep non-core players because of playoff success only have short terms at the top.
— Apparently had DAL won game 5, OIL semi-finals were this weekend : TV deal dictates this
Always love the blogs on the prospects. Thanks!
@TSNRyanRishaug
Why the down votes!?
Dallas jets going to 7 helps his cause. Go jets.
If somehow Oil have the series in hand early, I let the Viking continue to recuperate. By same token, hopefully Oil can avoid any kind of early desperation tempting them to rush Ekbaum back as an emergency reinforcement.
I dunno. If he’s healthy, he’s healthy. You gotta put him in. I wouldn’t want anyone starting the Finals cold
Oil have a poor record with this. Based on one false start already, I’m wary of punching the ticket on another. I’m not even limiting my outlook to this season – need Ek to come back 100%, as much as possible, to anchor next season as well. Let’s not take any unnecessary risks w this guy.
Maybe he’s like Kaner. Comes off the shelf red hot and ready to rumble.
Ryan Rishaug
Given Skinner’s recent performances, this is not a current issue but I do think there is a decent chance we need both goaltenders for the next 8 wins
Man..
Good on Pickard for finishing that game and getting a win.
I wonder if it cost him a shorter recovery.
With Cowan and Barkley graduating to pro for next season, I look for O’Reily and Nicholl to lead the Knights – its going to be awesome to follow.
Also graduating will be Julien, presumably to join Ricky and Bubbles in some harebrained scheme.
Seriously though–barring any significant moves by London at the centre position, O’Reilly and Nicholl will likely be 1C and 2C, though Nicholl has also spent time on the wing.
What’s the deal with Roby Jarventie again? He left the org. and is in Finland playing now so that’s that? Or do the Oilers hold any rights?
He’s an RFA next season, so as long as the Oilers make a qualifying offer, they will retain his rights.
Thanks, Tarkus!
and they almost assuredly will – no reason not to.
Different management but they did so with Slep – qualified him for a number of years until he reached UFA status.
Hopefully he gets a healthy season in over there… he has NHL upside for sure.
“Jarventie was set to become an RFA this summer, and with him signing a multi-year deal in Finland, it now seems likely that the Oilers will opt not to qualify the ex-second-rounder from 2020.
https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/oilers-prospect-bolting-finland-after-one-season-edmonton
That is 100% speculation.
It simply does not cost a thing to make an RFA offer, and it allows a team retention of player rights. It makes absolutely zero sense from an asset management perspective to let NHL skill like Jarventie go.
Bowman re-signed the 2 years older Regula who has a history of knee injuries dating back to his 19 YO season.
Hair’s preference is conjecture. Words such as “fact” or “factual” have zero meaning to the resident jabroni, known as Hair.
While that is true, it also doesn’t reflect that Jarventie turns 23 shortly and, if he honours his contract in Finland, will be 26.
Regula has already been signed to an AHL/NHL deal at the age of 24.
Not at all the same.
Of course there have been players in mid career that give the North American game one last try but it isn’t common.
The Finnish team he signed with, Tappara Tampere is the creme of the Finnish league and is a far cry from Bakersfield.
And the Oilers can qualify Jarventie to retain his NHL rights 🙂
Tyler Benson is also available. 🙂
Good on Preston for working his way to a press pass and being in the room – a solid up and commer.
At the same time, I don’t think he’s got the ear of Stan Bowman who is giving him tidbits on their plans for their RFAs.
I don’t see any reason not to qualify him.
Regardless how this turns out it was a good trade. Bowman has been near nailing every little deal add in restocking the forward cupboards like we have’nt seen since forever. When we win the Cup he should be a top 3 G.M in the league. Who would you rather have Holland or Bowman? Holland is going to go hard for free agents this summer it’s going to be a wild summer and enjoyable after we #6
Just read that Minnesota has signed Danila Yurov to a 3 year entry level deal. As part of the agreement, if he does not make the NHL team, he can go back to his KHL team, not Iowa (AHL) and it’s for the entirety of the contract.
I wonder if Bowman would do something similar with Berezkin?
Would much rather they be able to have him play in NA for large number of reasons.
Coach is saying Ekholm won’t be in game 1 or 2 but after that could be game on.
Woot.
How do we know? We don’t even know when game 1 and 2 are.
Because the coach said so? I only know what the coach has said, and that’s what he’s said.
I’d guess the NHL would already be working with the teams on the conference final schedule. There would be a couple of proposed schedules already in both winnipeg and dallas based on outcomes. So KK can likely speak to it with some of that info (that we don’t have yet as fans)
Of all the things to nit about, you pick this?
Wow, great news. It is so so nice not to “need” him to come back asap with the step up of the whole D crew. Hopefully it allows this injury to recover more so when he can come back, he’s less at risk to re-injure
And also more effective.
Hopefully Ekholm and the team can resist bringing him back early, if he’s able to play a healthy 20mins a night, let’er rip.
Great news, but given the way the D is playing, I’m not putting him in unless he’s close to fully healthy, which I suspect he’s not.
Ya Agree. Put him in when ready, not before.
I agree, which is why I’ve said if he can play a healthy 20mins a night let’er rip.
I’ve asked a few people about that question. Who do you sit to make time for him?
Walman-Klingberg has been our best pairing, wouldn’t break them up or sit either of them.
Kulak is solid and a playoff beast.
If anything Nurse has been our most inconsistent LD. But he’s a workhorse and definitely not good optics to sit your Assistant Captain and $9M d-man.
maybe go 11-7? But the forward lines have been pretty solid as well as constructed.
Man… what a conundrum…
Where’s the love for Clattenburg if his wheels are what they look like they are then he’s definitely going to play N.H.L games.
Perhaps but he’s likely not a realistic option for next season.
He only lasted a few shifts of pro before he was out for the season hurt.
If he can prove to be a energy-defensively conscious winger that chips in with the odd goal then giddy-up. I also like the fact he was the Captain of his Junior team. These qualities may spring him to the N.H.L faster than most people think. This is a real prospect that was qualified getting drafted from the 5th round #160 overall. This is a feel good root for the kid story in my eyes.
Loving all the goose eggs the Knights hatched this series:
Home Game Wins: ZERO
Game 4 Goals: ZERO
Game 5 Goals: ZERO
And their top 5 regular season scorers:
Dorofeyev Goals: ZERO
Hertl Goals: ZERO
Eichel Goals: ZERO
Barbashev Goals: ZERO
Howden Goals: ZERO
Upwards and onwards.
How do the Knights bounce back and get better next year? I think we see a decline for the Vegas team over the next 3-4 years.
Mitch Marner.
McCrimmon won’t sit in his hands. They got RS1C and 1D when they thought they needed them. Most folks said you can’t do that
I’d assume O’reilly gets his 9 game pay check and sent back to junior. Unless he has a terrible camp it would be borderline mismanagement not to do so. Even if he spends some time in the press box watching.
He’s done everything in the OHL. Need to keep him motivated.
Is O’Reilly the 1C?
Yes.
Thanks Tarkus
I wouldn’t say he’s done everything – there’s an offensive side to his game that could use some further development – but giving him a full TC + 9 games would be a big boost for the young man.
By everything I mean back to back OHL titles with him leading the charge this year. The only chance to get him games next year is the first 9. It’s also a significant pay check.
Unless he shits the bed in camp a good GM keeps his blue chip prospects happy. There’s really no downside.
I wouldn’t assume that in the least nor would I suggest that not receiving NHL games prior to being returned to junior would be mismanagement.
Don’t understand how this could be suggested as fact 5 months in advance.
Even taking away how the player performs at camp, the committed contracts that come with implications such as waivers, etc. are unknown.
Barkley and Cowan will be turning pro and the Knights will be O’Reily’s team up front and he should be pressing for Team Canada – motiviation should not be an issue.
From everything I’ve read and heard, Regula is a “real prospect”. It’s tough to see him pencilled in heading in to camp but, presuming he’s healthy to hockey training this off-season, I’m very much looking forward to getting eyes on him at camp. He’ll need waivers to be re-assigned.
He’s a righty yea?
Correct, and 6’4” and was one of the best youngish defefenders in the AHL.
Thank you! I know you had mentioned how your handle is spelled before but I can never remember 😆
A little older, a little injured….he may be a real prospect, but not a regula one.
I’m not personally sold on Tomasek but Stauff has suggested he’s all but a lock…..
Agree, not a whole lot of 29 year olds who come over and are effective. But we can hope
I wonder how the rest/workout/nutrition cycle is changed in the playoffs.
I’ve noted in the last few runs and again this playoffs that both Connor and Leon appear to lose a decent amount of weight, and based on their arms in interviews, some muscle mass, during the playoffs.
Hoping the team around them is taking steps to adapt and sustain. You can’t have a top-level athlete withering away when they need to be their best. Rest is massively important clearly – but so is refueling and keeping resistance training going for peak performance.
Pronger convinced MacT to let the vets work out instead of practice
Even people who praise Pronger’s year still don’t understand how much of a positive difference he made for that squad and in how many different ways he did that.
If the current owner owns the team, they find a way to make him happy and keep him. No doubt. Sure would’ve been fun watching 44 and 83 lead the crew on a 5 year run.
Owner vs Wife who wins?
Owners have made players’ wives and families happy in every professional sport there is if they’re willing to make the effort. Not a 100% success rate – but not exactly rocket science.
C’mon man. We all know the back story as to why Pronger’s wife “wasn’t happy.” That was NOT going to change as long as they lived in Edmonton.
Pretty much all NHL players lose weight during a season. I don’t think it’s possible to maintain both their muscle mass and the stamina it takes to play NHL hockey through ~100 games including playoffs.
This is fine – but how are they planning around that and accommodating for it so that they peak right now?
I’m no expert, but I would think it’s individual and mostly has to be done/planned out in the offseason. These players all have their own trainers, conditioning coaches, nutritionists etc in addition to the ones the Oilers have.
A season of NHL hockey is an insane thing to put a human body through. I think you do what you can to prepare for it, make little tweaks as necessary based on injuries (whether or not they miss time or play through them) and just try to survive to the finish line.
I think its safe to presume that the Oilers employ high end sports scientists and sports nutritionists, etc. and have all the up to date and cutting edge information and data required.
I was surprised how thin McDavid looked in his interview post game 5. I suspect he looks much better after a few good meals, some fluids and some rest. It’s so important to not go 7 seven games in the first 2 rounds.
Leon at the end of last year’s playoffs in interviews was borderline shocking to me. It made it obvious he was severely hurt. Had to have completely ended all non-hockey activity.
The players on the team have access to doctors, chefs, dieticians, medical testing, physiotherapists, RMTs, strength coaches, world-class training & recovery equipment, etc. at all waking hours, seven days a week.
Some players, like McDavid, employ their own personal staff.
To suggest that their health or well-being is neglected in some type of way is completely inane.
Not taking anything for granted given the missed mental health struggles, botched injury recoveries, and undiagnosed substance problems over the years. Despite being billion-plus dollar businesses, it often appears that hockey teams don’t run like one of those.
Also – sports science is always evolving. It may have been perfectly acceptable in the past that everyone was just going to wither a bit in the playoffs. I’d hope they’re using everything they can to prevent that as it can’t possibly be ideal.
I don’t think SOR can be an option for a cup of coffee if not on the opening roster.
He’s not eligible for the AHL – almost assuredly will be in junior all season.
I would think Samuel J. would spend a season in the SHL before the AHL?
What would be the normal trajectory?
I would also think that would be for the best for the 21 yo goalie. Don’t need to rush him over
There’s zero reason to wait. Put him in the AHL, see how he shines. He is not destined to play long in Sweden based on last season. Colby Cosh famously wrote (long ago) about NHL teams wasting strong seasons by goaltenders when slow playing. Perhaps Bowman agrees. I hope so.
I would say SHL is a stronger league than AHL.
I don’t agree that SHL is a stronger league than the AHL – I think the AHL is behind only the NHL and KHL.
I think the natural progression is SHL for this goalie prior to AHL.
They will have Rodrigue back in the AHL as the 1A, perhaps with Brochu (presuming they sign him) or Ungar with the other being in the ECHL with Day.
There is also every chance that they want to sign a Delia replacement for a legit veteran 3G with NHL experience.
For me, it makes sense to have him play in the top Swedish League before he makes the jump to the AHL.
This summer will be interesting. There are a few guys ready for the NHL, some youthful energy would be a nice add, but no room at the Inn and Holland’s and JJ’s movement clauses
Youth doesn’t preclude solid two way play. Pod can do it, the team doesn’t have to be ancient to get to their goal each season
Prospectford!
Not mentioned in the above list of players who bubble under is one Bauer Berry, and that’s because he is the ultimate draft-and-follow fellow in the NAmateur pool. However, his season is continuing with a good chance at capturing a league title like O’Reilly and Nicholl did yesternight.
When we last checked in with B-B-B-Berry and the ‘Jacks, they were coming off a victory in Waterloo which gave them a split, and now have a chance to win the Clark Cup on home ice.
Berry has but an apple in 11 playoff GP so far and has only five SOG. An offensive juggernaut he is not. He’ll have four years in St. Thomas to develop that though.
Puck drops @ 5 p.m. Del Bonita time.
Was that an Elton John reference?
Thou art correct. I’ve been known to communicate via song lyrics/titles.
No doubt Dallas is a strong team with a deep forward group and high end potential goaltending.
At the same time, from my views, the Jets have been the better team at 5 on 5 and Jake O. is the main reason for Dallas being up.
Dallas has been mainly a one line team and their 5 on 5 play does not scare me like I thought it would.
We know their defence has some high end but is thin and we know this Oilers team can get to Jake O.
They are not a physical team and I don’t see them much stronger than the Knights but for goaltending.
Weren’t the Stars our easiest out last spring?
I would suggest that the Kings were – took them out in 5.
The Oilers played very well against the Stars and Skinner was lights out that series but game 6 was a steal and I wouldn’t say it was an easy series.
Rantanen is a difference maker but, through two rounds, their second tier of scoring (and its an elite 2nd tier) has been very quiet.
Their D remains exposable, to my eye.
It’s a series of “mostly goaltender”
The Stars polished off a very strong Colorado team, and they did it without Robertson or Heiskanen.
That alone scares me.
Then you add in a revived Otter?
Next series will not be easy either way. I’m cheering for the Jets to beat the Stars, because it would guarantee a Western Canadian team in the Finals.
I don’t think either Robertson nor Heiskanen are near 100% and, with Dallas unable to win game 5, they won’t get a real break between series.
As I said, I agree, Dallas is a strong team but their second tier of scoring has been non-existent and the Jets are outplaying them.
Otter can be great but this team has already broke through on him – they almost always find a way to a goalie through a series.
Can’t see Dallas not taking advantage of home ice in game six. There’s no way they want to head back to Winnipeg for game seven, that might be a losing proposition. .
From my AHL views, Savoie is all but a lock for the NHL team next year and likely to make an impact in the middle of the roster with some real production upside.
He is a very responsible player and very very smart. Should mesh well with system play and talent.
Yamamoto plus on the forecheck.
I remain hopeful to add Berezkin to the list who would also likely be a legit roster player. Currently scoring goals in the Gangarin Cup Final.
Berezkin will be all about the boots. If he can skate in the NHL, he can play in the NHL.
I don’t think his boots need to be amazing to play in the NHL. He’s a big man with a nose for the net and very good hands. If you look at the heat map of his shots, they’re almost always from the doorstep. He will score goals in the NHL irrespective of the boots.
Hockey. KHL. Playoffs. Game number 84 15 May 2025: Lokomotiv-Traktor (online)
I could see O’Reilly being the surprise of camp. He looked like a “the game slows down for me” guy in the preseason. Those guys make the NHL early and hang around a long time if that trait is legit.
I agree. He is defensively very mature and don’t think he goes back. But they do like to slow roll their prospects
I think it will come down to contracts. Unless they move a few guys with NMC’s. The year after when SOR is AHL eligible there are several forward contracts over
If Philp is seen as stable I could see he and Savoie breaking in, then the next season SOR etc
I think he almost assuredly goes back.
He’s not age-eligible for the AHL so its NHL or OHL and I can’t imagine him playing with the Oilers for the season. Maybe a small cup of coffee at the beginning before being returned to London but I think that is even a minute possibility.
I don’t think not putting a 19 year old on the NHL roster is akin to slow-playing.
Can’t say I’m excited for the boys to sit for a week especially given their history and how well they’ve been playing. But in the meantime all I can ask for is for Jets and stars to beat the living crap out of each other
Connor looked like crap last post game. A week off is probably better than not. A healthy Oiler team would be a treat after the last few seasons where it held them back I think
They had 5 days between LA and Vegas and started well. So here’s hoping. Seeing last year how they were virtually exhausted by game 7 of the final, rest is valuable.
Sure, but the goalie is hot hot not great time to ice him
Hopefully Pickard is back to play games 1-3.
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
Rest and practice are both a huge thing this time of year.
I hope Jets/Stars goes 9 games.
Turn it all the way up to 11!! 😜
I’m cool if that series finishes tomorrow which would likely mean a Tuesday start with the Oilers having 6 days of rest and the Stars 2 days.
If it goes 7 games, maybe the Stars/Jets only have 1 days rest thought? I think the league would try to avoid that.
Yeah, they should have to win by two to play in the conference final.