For years, the narrative surrounding the Edmonton Oilers has been a familiar one: a top-heavy roster, a perpetual struggle for depth scoring, and a prospect pool shallower than a birdbath. Years of “going for it” have a cumulative effect, leaving the cupboard bare as draft picks and young assets are shipped out for immediate help. But tides, like the fortunes of an NHL franchise, can turn. As we look ahead to the 2025-26 season, a new story is taking shape in the Alberta capital, one of youthful exuberance and cost-controlled potential. The Oilers’ young talent might just be the key to unlocking a Stanley Cup dynasty.
The Cavalry Arrives: Savoie and Howard Lead the Charge
You can feel a different energy around the Oilers these days. The sting of past playoff exits lingers, but it’s now mingled with a palpable sense of excitement. Management, facing a tight salary cap situation (a mere $225,834 in available space, ranking 29th in the league) and the departure of talent like veterans Corey Perry and Connor Brown, knew a strategic shift was necessary. The solution? An aggressive and targeted effort to inject high-end, entry-level talent into the lineup.
Enter Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard. These aren’t your typical long-shot prospects; they are blue-chip talents acquired through shrewd trades, and they’re knocking on the NHL’s door with authority.
For Savoie, the expectation isn’t just to make the team out of training camp; it’s to play a significant role. Acquired in a blockbuster deal, the former top prospect has done nothing but impress at the professional level, racking up 54 points in 66 games in the AHL last season. He’s a dynamic, offense-driving forward who projects to be a staple in the Oilers’ middle-six. Forget a fourth-line apprenticeship; that would be a disservice to his game. The smart money is on Savoie finding a home alongside a player like Leon Draisaitl on the second line or anchoring a potent third line that can exploit favourable matchups. With a cap hit of just $886,666, Savoie represents the kind of high-impact, low-cost player that championship teams are built on. Keep a close eye on him in the pre-season; you’ll be seeing a lot of him once the real games begin.
And then there’s Isaac Howard, a prospect who is, remarkably, not far behind Savoie in terms of sheer excitement. Snagged from the Tampa Bay Lightning’s system, Howard is coming off a scintillating university campaign where he posted an eye-popping 26 goals and 52 points in just 37 games. The Oilers brass believes he’s ready to outplay his $950,000 entry-level contract from day one. He’s a player with the offensive toolkit to not only survive but thrive in the NHL. While he’ll likely start on the third line, don’t be surprised if his skill and tenacity earn him a look on the top line with Connor McDavid as the season progresses. A player with his pedigree finding chemistry with the best player in the world? That’s the kind of development that could elevate the Oilers from a contender to a juggernaut.
The Diamond in the Rough and the Blue-Line Bargaining Chip
Beyond the headliners, the Oilers’ revitalized prospect pipeline offers intriguing depth and strategic flexibility. Two names that exemplify this are Josh Samanski and Beau Akey, players who could impact the team’s fortunes in very different ways.
Josh Samanski is the kind of find that makes scouting departments look brilliant. An undrafted free agent, he’s a player who has taken the long road, but his performance has been impossible to ignore. After an impressive season in the DEL where he tallied 14 goals and 40 points in 52 games, Samanski is poised to make his mark in North America. While the numbers game might see him start the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, he’s widely considered to be at the top of the call-up list. With his skill and professional experience, he’s a prime candidate to push for a roster spot right out of training camp. At a cap-friendly $975,000, Samanski is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward signing. If he can translate his European success to the NHL, he could be one of the best “home run” signings the Oilers have made in recent memory.
On the back end, the Oilers have a different kind of asset in Beau Akey. A 20-year-old, right-shot defenseman with top-four potential, Akey is the kind of player every team covets. He’s coming off a strong season with the OHL’s Barrie Colts, where he honed his leadership skills and put up 32 points in 52 games. His elite skating and crisp passing make him a tantalizing prospect for the future. However, with a veteran-heavy blue line in Edmonton, his immediate path to the NHL is blocked. This makes Akey the Oilers’ most valuable trade chip. While the organization isn’t actively shopping him, his name will undoubtedly come up in trade discussions. If the Oilers find themselves in need of a depth scorer or some injury insurance at the trade deadline, Akey could be the centerpiece of a package that brings in the missing piece for a deep playoff run.
Whispers from the Pipeline: More Prospects on the Horizon
The renewed depth of the Oilers’ system doesn’t stop there. Several other prospects are worth keeping an eye on as they develop:
- Maxim Beryozkin (LW): A towering power forward (6-foot-4, 211 pounds) with a surprising amount of skill, Beryozkin has been a force in the KHL, posting 42 points in 66 games last season. He appears NHL-ready, but he’ll spend 2025-26 in Russia.
- Roby Jarventie (LW): Acquired from Ottawa, Jarventie is a player with undeniable potential and a solid AHL track record. The biggest knock on him has been his injury history. If he can stay healthy in 2025-26, he has the tools to re-establish himself as a top-tier prospect.
- Quinn Hutson (RW): An undrafted winger who exploded for a 50-point season at Boston University, Hutson has his believers within the Oilers organization. Now 23, his performance in the AHL will be critical in determining his NHL future.
- The Goaltending Pipeline: The Oilers have also quietly built up some depth in the crease. Samuel Jonsson, a 21-year-old with good size and strong fundamentals, put up impressive numbers in the HockeyAllsvenskan and will be one to watch as he develops.
The Big Picture: Youth, Value, and the Quest for the Cup
The infusion of young, cost-effective talent is more than just a feel-good story for the Oilers; it’s a strategic imperative. With superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, the window to win is now. However, their massive contracts, combined with other big-ticket deals on the books, mean that finding value elsewhere in the lineup is paramount.
The success of players like Savoie, Howard, and Samanski will be crucial in offsetting the loss of veteran depth and providing secondary scoring. If these young guns can step in and contribute, it will give the Oilers the flexibility they need to build a true four-line threat.
The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Edmonton Oilers. The core is still elite, the blue line has been improved, and now, a new wave of talent is ready to make its mark. The path to a Stanley Cup is never easy, but for the first time in a long time, the Oilers have the depth and the high-end prospects to not only contend for one championship but to potentially build a dynasty. The future is bright in Edmonton, and it’s being led by the kids.
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