Oilers recent College Free Agent signing deemed ready for NHL call-up
The Edmonton Oilers made a number of free-agent prospect signings last year, and now another is ready to make the jump to the NHL.
Stan Bowman has had success recruiting low-risk signings to the Oilers development system, and it’s already looking like it will pay off. Quinn Hutson has played NHL games, Atro Leppanen recently signed a contract extension, and now Damien Carfagna is ready to make the jump.
Oilers recent College Free Agent signing Damien Carfagna deemed ready for NHL call up
The Oilers signed the 23-year old left shot defenceman on March 31st of 2025, and after half a season in the AHL, analysts are calling him NHL ready.
Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell identified Carfagna as NHL ready due to his strong even-strength scoring metrics, improving play post-Christmas, and plus skating.
[Carfagna has] posted some of the strongest rookie goal-differential numbers in recent Condors history. In 2021-22, Philip Broberg was 30-15 (67 percent) in on-ice goals at five-on-five, while Michael Kesselring went 40-30 (57 percent). Both graduated to the NHL and are successful defencemen.
Carfagna plays in the heart of the game now and has had success with veterans (Josh Brown) and fellow rookie Akey. His skating is exceptional at the AHL level, and speed isn’t a limitation that will keep him from the NHL.
- Allan Mitchell
Carfagna plays in the heart of the game now and has had success with veterans (Josh Brown) and fellow rookie Akey. His skating is exceptional at the AHL level, and speed isn’t a limitation that will keep him from the NHL.
- Allan Mitchell
Carfagna is showing all the signs that he’s ready to be an NHLer. At 23 years old, he’s also further along his development than other prospects in the Condors’ system. Being a left-shot may hold him back due to the Oilers surplus of lefties, but the talent is there.
At the very least, Cafgana will be a player pushing to make the NHL roster in next year’s training camp. He’ll be one of a few low-cost young players that could add real value to Edmonton’s roster next season.
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