Edmonton Oilers Reshape Future with Bold Moves in Prospect Development…
The 2024 NHL Draft marked a turning point for the Edmonton Oilers’ management, as Jeff Jackson took full control just 11 months after his hiring in August 2023. Ken Holland, the team’s outgoing General Manager, was notably absent during the draft, signaling a shift toward a future without his leadership. However, Holland’s previous decisions still loomed, as the Oilers entered the draft without their first, third, and fourth-round picks, which had been traded for short-term gains. For the third consecutive year, the Oilers were limited in their draft selections, with only one pick in the top 150.
Just as the first round concluded, the Oilers made a bold move, trading up to secure the final pick of the round, selecting London Knights center Sam O’Reilly. This marked the beginning of a series of proactive decisions under Jackson. On July 1st, they re-signed big center Noah Philp, a former Holland signing returning after a year away. Shortly after, on July 5th, the team traded Ryan McLeod and prospect Ty Tullio for Matt Savoie, followed by a July 15th deal that sent top prospect Xavier Bourgault and Jake Chiasson to Ottawa in exchange for Roby Jarventie and a future draft pick.
By the time Stan Bowman was hired as Holland’s successor on July 24th, much of the work in reshaping the prospect pool had already been completed. Jackson, along with new hires like Rick Pracey (Director of Amateur Scouting) and Kalle Larsson (Senior Director of Player Development), had focused heavily on development. This emphasis continued with the announcement of three new hires in Hockey Operations, all centered on player development.
The Oilers’ prospect pipeline has seen significant changes, with four of the top six prospects acquired after Holland’s departure in late June. Only one of these additions came via the draft, with the others arriving through trades. The theme of Jackson’s early tenure has been clear: a proactive approach to rebuilding the team’s future talent.
