Edmonton Oilers' Year of the Young Guns
Photo credit: Imagn Images
With training camp only weeks away and several Edmonton players already taking to the ice,a number of young prospects will be competing for coveted roster spots.
Not since McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nurse did the Oilers have so much young talent about which to be excited. Now, comparing any young player to Connor and Leon is an exercise in futility; but this year's crop of Oilers' soon-to-be rookies are a talented group.
Oilers' prospects look to impress at their first training camp
Matthews Savoie is both a center and a RW who was acquired in a trade, and is considered the Oilers' top prospect following a strong AHL season in 2024-25.
He's an explosive skater and versatile player who is expected to compete for a bottom-six role and contribute on the penalty kill. He's projected to arrive in the NHL this season. Matt's 54 points in 66 games with Bakersfield Condors last year indicate his offensive skills.
Ike Howard is a LW and acquired from Tampa Bay in July. He won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA player last season. He's a shoot-first player with a high-end shot and is expected to challenge for a roster spot this season. He posted 26G and 26A in 37 games with Michigan State University in 2024-25.
Maxim Berezkin is skilled, powerful winger playing in the KHL and could be a top-9 forward. He turns 24 this fall, and is a little older than other prospects, but he has the elite skill to compete for a possible 4th-line spot.
Roby Jarventie is a talented forward who has battled injuries. He's looking to get his development back on track in the AHL this season and could be a top-nine winger in the future, though a strong training camp could see his value rise as an emergency call-up.
Goaltender Samuel Jonsson is a promising prospect with good size and solid fundamentals. He's also expected to play in the AHL this season, though given Edmonton's volatility in goal, he could be a potential backup to Skinner and Pickard.
Beau Akey is a two-way defenseman and a strong skater with offensive instincts and projects as a potential top-four defenseman in the future, although he may be a season or two away from cracking the Oilers' lineup.
However, with the long campaign ahead and possible injuries to roster players, opportunities will arise during the season for those that may not make the cut the first time around.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 362 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers' Year of the Young Guns Who has the best chance of making the Oilers' opening-day lineup? | ||
| Ike Howard | 148 | 40.9 % |
| Matt Savoie | 195 | 53.9 % |
| Beau Akey | 14 | 3.9 % |
| Roby Jarventie | 5 | 1.4 % |
| List of polls | ||