Emerging Oilers prospect may be team's most likely trade-piece

Beau Akey is a 20-year old top defensive prospect for the Oilers. He was picked in the 2nd-round (56th overall) of the 2023 Draft, and has shown that he possesses the elite skills to be a top-4 defenseman.

He is currently in year 1 of a 3-year deal he signed with the Oilers, at a cap hit of just under $832K. In 2024-25, then with the OHL's Barrie Colts, Beau recorded 6G and 26A in 52 games played, and was selected to Canada's World Junior Championship U20 team.

Beau Akey is an elite skater and has crisp passing skills that will serve him well as he takes the jump to the AHL with Bakersfield.

The Edmonton Oiler's development staff think highly of Akey, who believe his mobility and offensive instincts are mature for one so young. Yet, according to Oilers' Senior Director of Player Development Kalle Larson, there is room for improvement.

That will come in time as he develops. Yet, the question surrounding Akey is, will he develop with the Oilers, or with another team? The Oilers have a veteran-heavy defense with lots of depth, and it may be difficult for an unproven prospect, notwithstanding his skills, to crack the lineup.

Yet, a player of Beau's quality, who is considered to be a future impact player with a top-4 upside, will be highly sought after at the trade-deadline, and will be an asset the Oilers may just be willing to give up, for the right price.

Teams that are rebuilding will likely be calling the Oilers later into next season, to see if he's available. Conversely, the Oilers are in need of a right-handed defenseman, and if Beau makes it onto the roster, Edmonton will surely make the effort to extend him.

These are questions for GM Stan Bowman, who's not as yet addressed the lack of right-side defensive depth; Beau Akey may just be the solution to that problem.