3 Oilers Prospects Who Will Play NHL Games In 2025-26

The Edmonton Oilers are a different looking team than the one that went to the Stanley Cup Final last season, but that isn't a bad thing. They got younger, which means some of their top prospects are about to break through as spots are available for them. These are three Oilers prospects who will play NHL games in 2025-26.

Matthew Savoie

The Oilers have been waiting for Matthew Savoie since the trade that brought him to Edmonton. He only got into four games in the NHL last season and seasoned himself in the AHL, but it is his time to play middle-6 minutes. He will definitely make the Oilers out of training camp and either play alongside Leon Draisaitl on the second line or on the third line. There is little use in dropping him to the fourth line and it will hurt his game if that happens. He can score and produce and the Oilers are excited about their top prospect.

Isaac Howard

Isaac Howard shouldn't be considered too far behind Savoie in terms of potential or excitement. The Oilers made a nice move in trading Sam O'Reilly, who wouldn't have played in the NHL yet, to get an NHL-ready prospect who just did very well in university and has three full years of an entry-level deal. The Oilers need players outplaying their contracts and Howard should definitely do that immediately. He hasn't played an NHL game yet, but put up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games last season. The Oilers will likely start him on the third line, but some think he can steal a top line spot later in the season beside Connor McDavid based on his play and the team spreading out the wealth through the lines.

Josh Samanski

The Oilers got a nice find in the undrafted Josh Samanski who did well as a 22-year-old in the DEL last season. He is coming over to North America and will likely spend the majority of the season in the AHL due to lack of space in the NHL, but should impress and be one of the first callups when needed or later in the season. He scored 14 goals and 40 points in 52 games last season and he is an interesting addition to the Oilers' system. Edmonton got a few guys up for games last season and I think it will happen again to reward certain players. Samanski should be one of them to also see how he fares.

The Oilers have a couple of other young-ish players that will spend some time in the NHL next season, but because of the age of Noah Philp and James Hamblin, I can't really consider them prospects anymore. Both are 26 years old and have sub-50 games played each, but I think they can contribute a bit moving forward.