It’s a borderline hockey miracle. Faced with few draft picks and a faltering minor-league system, Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman aggressively pursued college and European free agents in the spring of 2025. Armed with NHL deals but no promises of NHL time (with one exception), Bowman has turned over much of the team’s top-20 prospects list in less than one year.

The most encouraging thing about the transformation comes in AHL performances. This year’s Bakersfield Condors are the most interesting version of the team in a decade. It isn’t known how many of the newcomers will emerge as real NHL talents, but the list this December doesn’t resemble what fans viewed one year ago. There are nine Condors players who were on the Bakersfield roster and have since graduated to the Oilers on this year’s list.

Signing early 20s college and European prospects means the ceiling for each player is already established, but in the case of several new prospects to the system, the floor looks good enough to play in the NHL. Some are ready now.

Any player in the Oilers system with fewer than 50 NHL games on his resume is eligible for the list. Let’s start with the prospects no longer in the organization who made the list one year ago.

Sam O’Reilly (No. 2 last December) was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in July.
Olivier Rodrigue (No. 7) signed in the KHL but was injured and released.
Max Wanner (No. 8) was traded to the Boston Bruins in March.
Shane Lachance (No. 12) was traded to the New Jersey Devils in March.
Luca Munzenberger (No. 18) signed and is playing in Germany’s top league (DEL).

Five men exited the system, and several who made the list last summer are still with the organization but have been passed by Bowman’s additions. Here’s the top 20 this winter, with last December’s rankings in brackets.

1 (1) RW Matt Savoie, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Savoie is a quality passer whose creativity makes him ideal for a skill line. NHL Edge has him in the 65th percentile in foot speed and below 50 percent in hardest shot metrics, so his offensive utility has some limits. Fortunately, his range of skills includes the ability to impact the game on several levels. Savoie began the year in Edmonton by playing an even-strength depth role and penalty killing. In recent days, he has moved up to the top two lines and skated with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl as his centre. Savoie has five goals and nine points in 28 games, putting him on a pace for 15 goals this season. The last Oilers rookie to score 15 goals? McDavid, a decade ago.

He’s second in ice time among Oilers forwards on the penalty kill, via Natural Stat Trick, and has scored a goal short-handed. Savoie has also done real damage in limited minutes on the power play, running at 9.06 points per 60 in the discipline. Savoie isn’t scoring at five-on-five, and that’s the only real concern. His 0.89 goals per 60 at even strength must improve, and his goal share is just 43 percent at even strength. However, since Nov. 1, he’s at 50 percent goal percentage and has scored 1.49 points per 60, indicating progress.

Coach Kris Knoblauch doesn’t give playing time to rookies on a whim. Savoie has stolen minutes from veterans by thriving on both special teams. His improved even-strength performance over the last month has earned him a consistent spot on a skill line. Savoie should be an integral part of the Oilers for years to come.

2 (NR) LW Ike Howard, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)/Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Howard began the season with the Oilers (2-1-3 in 17 games) and showed flashes of the first-shot scorer Edmonton management hopes it acquired from the Lightning in July. As is the case with most rookie pros, positioning and coverage were issues for the young winger at the NHL level. Howard was sent to the minors midway through November and ignited the Condors’ offence in a big way. Through seven games, he’s scoring 3-5-8 and is the catalyst for the No. 1 line in Bakersfield. While on the ice in those seven games, Howard has posted a 66 percent goal share (10-3 goals) at even strength.

Howard’s calling card is a quick release and the ability to find quality areas of the ice to score, but he’s also shown above-average passing ability and precise timing on those passes. He thinks the game well offensively, but his desire to deliver offence sometimes leaves him out of position. Those are the lessons top prospect Savoie learned a year ago in Bakersfield, and the same ones Howard is learning now. He’s the No. 2 prospect in the system, but the offensive gap between Savoie and Howard doesn’t appear to be large. Both should have NHL careers on a skill line.

3 (13) G Samuel Jonsson, Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)

A year ago, Jonsson was establishing himself as the best goalie in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. At 21, the 6-foot-5, 201-pound stopper posted a .922 save percentage and earned an NHL contract from Edmonton. Selected in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Jonsson was considered a long shot, but his size and athletic ability earned him an opportunity in the Oilers system.

This season, he has shown well with the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets, posting a .926 save percentage (with three shutouts) in five games. He hasn’t seen the AHL yet, but his strong play in Fort Wayne should earn him a look later in the year. Jonsson is the best goalie prospect in the system. The Oilers are notorious for slow-playing goaltenders.

There is at least one theory that suggests Jonsson should be in a higher league right now. I use the “three-year” measure, meaning if a goalie can establish a level of ability for three consecutive seasons, he should be elevated to the highest available level. Jonsson is in his second year proving he can stop pucks with a quick glove and calm feet. He could come quickly. It’s unlikely to happen in the Oilers’ system. Still, he occupies a position Edmonton badly needs to fix at the NHL level.

4 (NR) RW Quinn Hutson, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Hutson appears to be the modern version of Oilers legend Fernando Pisani. Both men turned pro at the same age after similar college careers, and both established themselves as solid two-way forwards early in their AHL time. Hutson has also announced his presence offensively, scoring 12-10-22 in the first 20 games played for the Condors. He’s also an effective outscorer at even strength (14-6 goals, 70 percent) and has scored 10 goals and 19 points in the last 10 games. The Oilers are currently struggling on the depth lines at the NHL level. Hutson is among the most responsible Bakersfield forwards, despite being a rookie. Among Bowman’s spring 2025 free-agent signings who are playing for the Condors, Hutson is top of the line.

5 (NR) LC Josh Samanski, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

When the Oilers signed Samanski out of Germany in the spring, the scouting reports looked too good to be true. A 6-foot-5 free-agent centre, with good speed, physicality, undrafted at 23 and moving the needle in all game states while playing in a good European league, is highly unusual. Fans and prospect trackers couldn’t wait to see Samanski play for Bakersfield, and the results have been strong. He’s playing centre on the team’s top line (with Hutson and, at times, Howard) and posting enough offence (3-12-15 in 20 games) to be considered a real NHL prospect. He leads the Condors in even-strength scoring (3-10-13) and has a 53 percent goal share (fourth among forwards at evens). Samanski may be getting zoomed by Howard and Hutson, but his size, ability to play the middle and overall level of play have been encouraging.

6 (NR) LD Damien Carfagna, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Carfagna isn’t getting the coverage Hutson currently enjoys, but the young defender is another college signing from the spring who’s showing plenty of promise. He’s not among the top options for recall among Bakersfield defencemen, but that has more to do with inexperience than performance. He’s a real two-way defenceman with impressive foot speed. The only downbeat is size (6-feet, 185 pounds), but his time with the Condors (17 games, 1-4-5, 48 percent goal share at even strength) is an impressive stat set for a new pro. Carfagna is the top defensive prospect in the system due to his skating ability, age (he turns 23 on December 12) and close proximity to the NHL. As there’s no clear top defenceman, these factors give him the edge.

7 (15) LD Paul Fischer, Notre Dame (Big Ten)

Fischer is a mobile defender with two-way acumen and enough foot speed to play in the NHL. (The Athletic’s Corey Pronman called him an “NHL quality skater.”) His range of skills includes shot blocking (led his team last season) and playmaking ability (19 assists in 2024-25 ranked third among Notre Dame skaters). The bump from No. 15 to No. 7 comes courtesy of a major offensive spike in 2025-26. Fischer is at a point per game (15 games, 5-10-15), which leads the team, as does his 12 blocked shots. He’s ranked just shy of Carfagna, but there’s no real gap between the two as prospects based on available information.

8 (3) LW Maxim Berezkin, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL)

Selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft, Berezkin immediately started building an impressive resume. The big winger saw limited action as a teenager in the KHL (Russia’s top league and one of the best in the world), finally emerging as a legit NHL prospect with a solid year in 2022-23 at 21. He blossomed in 2024-25, scoring 42 points in 66 regular-season games, and nine goals in 21 playoff games as Lokomotiv won the Gagarin Cup. He’s 6-foot-4, 211 pounds and is now 24. Berezkin has expressed interest in joining the Oilers next summer, but his performance this year (2-10-12 in 35 games) is down materially, despite almost identical ice time to one year ago. He’s a free agent at the end of May, and the Oilers may sign him. The 2024-25 season was so strong that he may have been wise to sign this past summer.

9 (9) LW Roby Jarventie, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

What a difference one year can make. This time last season, Jarventie’s 2024-25 season was over. Injuries had hampered his NHL hopes, and it appeared he was heading back to Finland in order to play the rest of his career in his home country. Signed by Bowman and sent to Bakersfield this fall, Jarventie has impressed with his size (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) and skill (nine goals in 16 games with the Condors this year). He’s at a 48 percent goal share at even strength, where he has delivered much of his offence (six goals). Jarventie could be a recall this winter, especially with so many third- and fourth-line Oilers struggling.

10 (NR) RD Alec Regula, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Regula was a waiver claim by Bowman last winter, but didn’t play due to injury. He’s an intriguing player because he has size (6-foot-4, 211 pounds) and can move the puck. He’s in the 64th percentile as a skater, via NHL Edge. It was less than even money he would make the team this fall, but the organization showed faith in him, and Regula responded. Excluding a period where he showed some chaos after an injury, Regula has been one of Edmonton’s top six this season on merit. In 14 games, he has an expected goal share of 48 percent at five-on-five. At his size and speed, he’s the last of Edmonton’s prospects with a chance at an NHL career on the second pairing. The Oilers sacrificed Troy Stecher via the waiver wire to keep him, a strong indication of the team’s belief in Regula.

11 (4) RD Beau Akey, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Akey is a right-handed defenceman, an outstanding skater, and one of Edmonton’s marquee prospects. He’s undersized (6-feet, 173 pounds, according to the AHL website), so his speed will have to do a lot of work defensively. Akey was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, coming off a strong junior season in the OHL (47 points in 66 games). Those numbers offered hope he would emerge as a plus power-play contributor. Injuries derailed the rest of his junior career, and he now arrives in the pros without a strong offensive reputation. He can pass and transport the puck, but may not get power-play time in pro hockey. His comparables are players like Taylor Chorney (who played in just 166 NHL games after being a second-round pick by Edmonton in 2005). He has hurdles to overcome to establish himself as an NHL player.

12 (NR) LW Connor Clattenburg, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)/Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Clattenburg arrived at this year’s training camp with some qualities that made him unique among Oilers prospects. A rugged winger with below-average foot speed, via NHL Edge, and shy scoring totals in junior, he didn’t make my list last winter or this summer. However, his determination, aggression and timely offensive contributions have him in the NHL and playing fourth-line minutes. Clattenburg never scored 20 in junior, delivered just one goal in 15 games with Bakersfield, but has a goal and several great chances in five games with Edmonton this season. He delivers heavy hits and is a willing combatant. Clattenburg is an outlier for this list, which is built on math and progression models that identify historical comparables. There’s no math support for Clattenburg. However, his contributions are undeniable, and he is playing in the NHL at 20. The list of former Oilers to accomplish that feat is a population of six: Ethan Bear, Miro Satan, Kelly Buchberger, Todd Ewen, Marc Habscheid and Andy Moog. Clattenburg is the seventh.

13 (17) LD Nikita Yevseyev, Amur Khabarovsk (KHL)

It’s hard to believe Yevseyev is only 21. Selected by Edmonton in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, he has been on the radar playing in the KHL ever since. The big news this fall is the spike in playing time. Yevseyev is averaging 19:45 per game with Khabarovsk Amur after playing for Ak Bars in previous seasons. His goal share at evens (17-17) leads the team, and he’s second in team scoring. He’s a shutdown defender and appears to have arrived as a KHL regular. Should he sign with Edmonton, he would be competing for third-pairing minutes. His NHL career may ride on the head coach’s preference for his style of play over a completely different player, like Akey.

14 (NR) C-RW Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Lafreniere has a non-stop motor and is authoring a breakout season with the Kamloops Blazers this season. He has scored 19 goals and 35 points in 27 games, good enough to rank just outside the WHL’s top-10 scorers. Lafreniere was impressive during the Oilers’ rookie games at camp and then played well in a quick look at the beginning of preseason. He’s aggressive, contests every puck and can play centre. There’s a slight Zach Hyman vibe in his game, and he has had success in all three game states. A third-round pick in 2025, he turns 19 in January.

15 (5) LC William Nicholl, London Knights (OHL)

Nicholl was chosen in the seventh round of the 2024 draft, meaning the chances he’ll make the NHL are a long shot. He produced an exceptional draft-plus-one season in 2024-25, scoring 57 points in 66 games for the powerhouse London Knights. He’s a speedy forward with good hands, and could be a draft steal should he put it all together. Nicholl hasn’t had the chance this season, as surgery to repair an upper-body injury over the offseason has him projected to play his first games after the new year. His drop in the ranking is due purely to injury.

16 (6) RC Noah Philp, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

This season has been a struggle for the big man, even before he got hurt. Philp played in all three game states in the AHL (even strength, power play, penalty kill) and won the job as No. 4 centre on the Oilers at this year’s camp. He played 11 minutes on opening night, on a line with Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen. The line outshot the opponent 7-3, but Philp didn’t get any time on the penalty kill. For a No. 4 centre on the Oilers, PK work is part of the job. That disconnect between coach and player left Philp out in the cold for playing time several nights this fall. His offence (1.28 points per 60 at five-on-five) was a little shy before the injury, but his faceoff winning percentage spiked to 58 percent from 40 percent year over year. Philp has been replaced by Curtis Lazar since the injury, and it’s unknown what role he’ll play when healthy. Philp’s ranking reflects the injury (he’s on LTIR) and a disappointing start to the season.

17 (NR) LW David Lewandowski, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Lewandowski is a two-way winger with a plus shot and impressive playmaking ability. His range of skills should be a good platform to eventually earn a pro contract and possibly play in the NHL. He has shown solid year-over-year growth in the WHL, posting 8-20-28 in his first 26 games this season. Corey Pronman wrote at The Athletic, “Lewandowski isn’t dynamic by any means, but he has the speed and skill to contribute at higher levels and be interesting as an NHL prospect.” He’s 6-foot-2, 177 pounds and turns 19 in February.

18 (NR) C-LW Viljami Marjala, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Marjala is another of Bowman’s spring signings and one of the most impressive offensive players in the group. Through 20 AHL games, he has 15 assists and 19 points. His 11 power-play points are among the team’s leaders, and his passing skills might be the best on a team that houses several quality candidates. Marjala is 22, has a slender build (6-feet, 172 pounds) and isn’t an exemplary two-way player (as reflected in his 46 percent goal share at even strength). His major skill is passing, and is duplicated by players with superior overall talent on the Oilers. In spite of an impressive debut in the AHL, Marjala’s future may lie with another NHL team. He’s a skill centre, but isn’t a candidate to replace any of Edmonton’s skill centres.

19 (10) G Eemil Vinni, JoKP (Mestis)

Vinni is a tall (6-foot-3, 187 pounds) goaltender whose pre-draft scouting reports raved about his athleticism. The Oilers invested a second-round pick on him in 2024; the team has used very few of those in the last five years. It’s important for Vinni to develop into a player who either makes the NHL or offers substantial trade value in the future. So far, the results don’t impress. He has time, but this year (in Finland’s second league) his save percentage is .882 in 13 games. If he ever makes it to Edmonton, Vinni should be a crowd favourite. His aggressive style of play has appeal, but it just hasn’t worked enough for him to be considered a future NHL goalie.

20 (NR) LD Atro Leppanen, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Several worthy candidates were considered for the final spots on this year’s top 20. Asher Barnett, Albin Sundin, Dalyn Wakely and Nathaniel Day are all solid prospects. The Oilers have improved markedly season over season in terms of quality and quantity of prospects, making it more difficult than it’s been in ages to choose 20 names.

Leppanen is at No. 20 courtesy of some impressive progress made in his second month with Bakersfield. He showed offensive prowess from the beginning, but his defensive work was chaotic, and he didn’t adjust well in the opening weeks. He and Akey were put together as a pairing by Condors coach Colin Chaulk, and the tandem has done well recently. Leppanen is a long shot for the Oilers, but in terms of potential, he wins the last spot on this year’s top 20 list. Here’s the listing, with each man’s outer marker in terms of potential.

RankPlayerNHL projection

1

Matt Savoie

NHL skill winger

2

Ike Howard

NHL skill winger

3

Samuel Jonsson

NHL starting goalie

4

Quinn Hutson

NHL two-way winger

5

Josh Samanski

NHL two-way centre

6

Damien Carfagna

NHL second pair defence

7

Paul Fischer

NHL second pair defence

8

Maxim Berezkin

NHL skill winger

9

Roby Jarventie

NHL skill winger

10

Alec Regula

NHL second pair defence

11

Beau Akey

NHL third pair defence

12

Connor Clattenburg

Bottom-six NHL winger

13

Nikita Yevseyev

NHL third pair defence

14

Tommy Lafreniere

Bottom-six NHL winger

15

William Nicholl

Bottom-six NHL winger

16

Noah Philp

Bottom-six NHL centre

17

David Lewandowski

Bottom-six NHL winger

18

Viljami Marjala

Fringe NHL centre

19

Eemi Vinni

Fringe NHL goalie

20

Atro Leppanen

Fringe NHL defenceman