Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman published his annual list of noteworthy free agents from U colleges, CHL leagues and all of Europe.
For Edmonton Oilers fans, that list and the overall quality of the prospect pool is important.
It’s vital for the Oilers to add some of these names, and that will require an NHL deal and a possible fast track (based on performance) to NHL opportunities.
Peter Chiarelli signed college men Matt Benning and Drake Caggiula during his time as Oilers general manager, and Ken Holland had some success with Vincent Desharnais and James Hamblin.
Stan Bowman is in the manager’s chair today, and he will need to be aggressive during the spring signing season. An early signing like winger Gleb Veremyev (he’s on Pronman’s list) and Marc Lajoie (mentioned here) could signal an active spring from the Oilers.
The talent pool needs it badly. Five additions to the group that is going to graduate to pro hockey over the summer should be considered an adequate number.
The players Edmonton can sign
Through drafting and trades, the Oilers have acquired the signing rights to several players.
There are five who have to be signed this summer, and several who could be signed by Bowman with an eye to improving the quality in AHL Bakersfield.
Maxim Berezkin doesn’t have to be signed this summer, but he’s a KHL free agent. If the Oilers hesitate, the window may not open again for several years. He’s ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the system.
The five who must be signed (Luca Munzenberger and Joel Maatta from Vermont, Matt Copponi from Boston University, Nathan Day from the Flint Firebirds and Tomas Mazura, who recently signed a pro contract in Czech Extraliga) this summer are less impressive talents than Berezkin.
Munzenberger might be the most intriguing in the group, he has size and is a mobile defenceman. He is also left-handed, that’s an area of need in Bakersfield.
As is always the case, a new GM (Bowman) often looks past the work of the previous manager (Holland) and that could impact Munzenberger and others.
A player like Paul Fischer, acquired by Bowman since his arrival, might be a more likely summer signing among defenders.
March 1 is the first day NHL teams can sign free agents from various non-NHL affiliated leagues for next season. The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked things off, and there are about a dozen teams who usually sign at least one legit prospect during the spring.
Bowman needs to be in that mix. Here’s a quick look at the top players signed by the organization and likely ticketed for at least some time in Bakersfield during 2025-26:
- Matt Savoie, right wing. He’s on the Oilers roster currently (three games, one assist) but might open the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL.
- Beau Akey, right defence. He’s an exciting skater and a puck-moving defenceman. Condors fans will love him.
- Noah Philp, right centre. A quality player at the AHL level, he may break camp with the big club in the fall. If he’s in the AHL, Philp is a difference-maker.
- Roby Jarventie, left wing. An impressive skill winger. If he could stay healthy, he’d be in the NHL to stay.
- Olivier Rodrigue, goaltender. One of the 10 best goalies in the AHL the last two-plus seasons, although recent performances have been troubling.
- Max Wanner, a tough defender who may lack the foot speed to make an NHL impression.
- Jayden Grubbe, a big, physical centre who has the same issue that could keep Wanner out of the NHL lineup.
All but Savoie and Akey are restricted free agents, but likely to return next season.
If we stretch the meaning of the word prospect, we can include Hamblin (smart centre, can score in the AHL but is shy offensively for the NHL).
The Oilers need to add goaltending, left defencemen and high-end skill forwards to the pro group who will play for the Condors next season.
Ironically, they are deeper at centre than usual, with both Philp and Hamblin capable in offensive and defensive roles.
Candidates
Veremyev is a worthy target for Edmonton. Pronman describes him as a “big, physical winger with intriguing athleticism for the pro level.” Veremyev hasn’t scored much in college but is a fine athlete and would represent a big upgrade on the NCAA free agents who have signed with the organization in recent seasons.
Lajoie is a legitimately intriguing prospect. He is a left-handed defenceman who brings size (6-foot-6 inches, 223 lbs) who brings a range of skills and is a substantial offensive player in every league he’s played in. He turns 22 in May and is playing this season in Edmonton with the Alberta Golden Bears.
TJ Hughes is a name Oilers fans should keep in mind over the coming weeks. He is from Hamilton, Ont., and plays for Michigan.
Canadian prospects who play American college hockey are historically more likely to sign with Canadian teams. Caggiula, Benning and Justin Schultz are examples who signed with the Oilers over the past dozen years.
Hughes is not a big winger (5-foot-11, 185 lbs) and that may reduce the number of teams bidding for his professional services. He’s 23 and has delivered in each of his three seasons with Michigan. If he signs with a Canadian team, Edmonton, Toronto or Montreal would seem to make the most sense.
Aggression
Bowman will need to be aggressive in all areas. There’s a sense among Oilers fans the franchise was indifferent about contending for bigger free agents on par with Schultz and Caggiula during the Holland years.
Getting Berezkin signed would be an indication the new general manager can get business done with a (so far) elusive draft pick.
Getting Lajoie under contract would continue a subtle but effective prospect tweak by the Oilers: signing players out of their own backyard. Philp came to the Oilers via the Golden Bears, and he is a bona fide NHL option for the team moving forward.
The target should be a player who can help the Condors right away and contribute at the NHL level during his entry-level season.
All free agents should be able to see the advantage when signing in Edmonton: There’s little competition between the AHL club and an NHL recall.
If the Oilers sign a player with the skill of Hughes, it could signal a new day for the team. Other options are mentioned her
