Edmonton Oilers’ Top 5 Prospects…
As the Edmonton Oilers gear up for the 2024-25 NHL season, they are set to become the league’s oldest team, a stark contrast from the days when they regularly fielded some of the youngest squads.
Now a regular Stanley Cup contender, the Oilers are recognized more for their age and experience than for their pool of young prospects. Although their current crop of prospects isn’t often highlighted due to the team’s on-ice performance, it’s stronger than many realize.
Edmonton boasts promising talent in every position, with some players, like Matthew Savoie, potentially making a significant impact this season as they chase their NHL dreams.
Up front, the arrival of Savoie and Sam O’Reilly has significantly enhanced Edmonton’s offensive prospects. On defense, Beau Akey’s resurgence could establish him as one of the Oilers’ most exciting prospects heading into the 2025-26 season.
Meanwhile, in goal, Connor Ungar’s transition to professional play after an outstanding season with Brock University could give Oilers fans a glimpse of the organization’s next potential star netminder.
With questions swirling about the strength of Edmonton’s prospect pool and the 2024-25 season approaching, let’s take a closer look at the Oilers’ top-five prospects and a few honorable mentions.
Top 5 Prospects
#5: Beau Akey (Defense)
Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Beau Akey is a smooth-skating defenseman known for his balanced offensive and defensive play. During the 2022-23 season, he tallied 47 points in 66 regular-season games with the Barrie Colts but only played in 14 games last season due to a shoulder injury, leading to double shoulder surgery.
With Barrie aiming to be a strong contender this season, Akey’s potential breakout could be the boost they need.
Akey isn’t eligible for AHL play until the 2025-26 season, so a successful return this season would be ideal for both him and the Oilers as he gears up for his professional career.
Elusive and offensive-minded defensemen are highly sought after in today’s NHL, and if Akey can recover and regain his form, he could develop into a top-four defenseman for Edmonton in the coming years.
#4: Shane Lachance (Left Wing)
If you haven’t heard of Shane Lachance yet, he’s a prospect to watch. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 220 pounds, Lachance is hard to miss on the ice for Boston University. In his freshman season, he scored 13 goals and 27 points, quickly becoming a key player for BU.
Known for his heavy shot and puck protection skills, he was recently named captain of his team for the 2024-25 season.
If Lachance continues to improve and leads his team on a deep playoff run, he could be in line for an entry-level contract with the Oilers next offseason, potentially starting the 2025-26 season in the AHL.
However, signing a professional contract would end his college career, so it’s likely he remains in college for a few more seasons. A towering, two-way forward is a valuable asset in the NHL, and the Oilers’ patience with Lachance could pay off in the long run.
#3: Sam O’Reilly (Centre)
Sam O’Reilly had a breakout season with the London Knights of the OHL in 2023-24, scoring 20 goals and 56 points as a rookie. A defensively strong center known for his hard-nosed play, O’Reilly was an obvious choice for Edmonton’s first-round pick.
Often described as an agitator, he plays a physical game while staying disciplined, as evidenced by his mere 34 penalty minutes in 68 games last season.
At just 18, O’Reilly will return to the OHL for the 2024-25 season. Given London’s powerhouse status, it’s challenging to gauge O’Reilly’s offensive abilities.
With 13 drafted players on their roster, the Knights spread their scoring widely. If O’Reilly can produce at a point-per-game pace or better, it will signal significant progress in his offensive development alongside his strong defensive play.
#2: Roby Jarventie (Left Wing)
The Oilers’ acquisition of Roby Jarventie from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Xavier Bourgault and Jake Chiasson raised eyebrows, but it may turn out to be a steal for Edmonton. At 22, Jarventie was a point-per-game player in the AHL last season and appeared in seven games with Ottawa, recording one point with limited ice time.
As the 2024-25 season begins, Jarventie will have a chance to secure a spot in the Oilers’ bottom six. While he may start in the AHL, his fast-paced game and ability to create offense on the rush make him a strong candidate for NHL ice time as the season progresses and injuries arise.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Jarventie’s physical and gritty style could help him crack the Oilers’ roster out of training camp.
#1: Matthew Savoie (Centre)
Originally a first-round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft, Matthew Savoie is an explosive offensive talent who has consistently put up impressive numbers in the WHL.
Acquired by the Oilers in exchange for Ryan McLeod and Ty Tullio, Savoie scored a staggering 71 points in just 34 regular-season games in 2023-24 and added 24 points in the playoffs, leading the Moose Jaw Warriors to a WHL championship. Not only is Savoie an elite playmaker, but he also elevates his teammates’ play.
Set to start the upcoming season with the Bakersfield Condors, Savoie will have ample opportunity to prove himself as the Oilers’ top prospect and a young player capable of thriving in professional hockey.
His previous AHL experience, where he recorded five points in six games with Rochester, suggests that Savoie could have a strong season, potentially earning call-ups to the Oilers as they seek depth scoring.
Honourable Mentions
These prospects may not be household names yet, but they have the potential to make an impact in the NHL. Each of these players could have breakout seasons in 2024-25.
Matvei Petrov (Winger)
Matvei Petrov burst onto the OHL scene in 2021-22, scoring 40 goals and 90 points as a rookie with the North Bay Battalion, followed by 27 goals and 93 points in his second season.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, Petrov is a skilled winger with an edge. Although he only managed 14 points in 53 AHL games last season, with more playing time this season, he could become a consistent contributor at the professional level.
Connor Ungar (Goalie)
Connor Ungar’s path to professional hockey has been long, but he has consistently performed well. After three strong seasons in the WHL, Ungar played for Brock University last season, where he was named USports Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year (OUA West).
Signed to a two-year deal by the Oilers, Ungar will likely split time between the ECHL and AHL in 2024-25 as he works to establish himself as a legitimate professional netminder capable of competing for NHL time.
Dalyn Wakely (Centre)
Dalyn Wakely went undrafted in his first year of eligibility, but he had a breakout season in 2023-24 and was selected by the Oilers with the 192nd pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Playing for the North Bay Battalion in the OHL, Wakely scored 39 goals and 104 points in 66 regular-season games and added 23 points in 16 playoff games. At 6 feet and 200 pounds, he is a prolific scorer who also plays a physical and competitive two-way game. Although eligible for AHL play, he’s more likely to return to North Bay for another strong OHL season to earn an NHL contract.
Oilers’ Prospect Pool Outlook
The Oilers have several intriguing prospects who have shown they can thrive against tough competition. While not all of them will make it to the NHL, and even fewer will become impact players at the highest level, it’s clear that Edmonton’s top-five prospects have the potential to become game-changers in the future if they continue to develop.
Matthew Savoie is likely to see time with the Oilers this season, but the path to the NHL for the other top prospects will be challenging. With a forward-heavy prospect pool and one of the NHL’s most formidable offensive lineups, breaking into and securing a spot in the Oilers’ roster will be a tough task for years to come. However, while Edmonton’s prospect pool could be stronger, it would be unwise to overlook their current group of young players – many are poised for outstanding seasons in 2024-25 and beyond.
