4 Oilers Prospects Who Could Be Trade Pieces in 2022-23

Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland has managed to hold onto many of the prospects that were drafted by him or former GM Peter Chiarelli, which helped build the strong group we see today. There are many talented young players on their way, but there won’t be room for everyone.

That brings us to which prospects are tradable moving forward to help build a team with the best chance to win. Draft picks are often better trade bait for players, but prospects are closer to the NHL. There are a few young players in the Oilers’ system whose time with the organization may run out before they reach the NHL, while others have been passed on the depth chart and may be looking for an opportunity somewhere else. Holland would be wise to trade these players before their stock plummets or the organization loses them for nothing.

Dmitri Samorukov

Dmitri Samorukov, 24, has spent two full seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), one full season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and has played one game for the Oilers since turning pro. Drafted in 2017 by Edmonton, two defencemen have now passed him on the depth chart, Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg. This is understandable, considering both have been top-10 picks in more recent drafts.

Now that Bouchard has graduated to the NHL full-time, and Broberg is expected to make the jump this season, that leaves little room for Samorukov to progress. This is especially true now that the Oilers have at least seven defencemen ahead of him after signing Ryan Murray.

Related: Oilers Signing Murray Eliminates 3 Players’ Chances to Make Team

Samorukov was expected to have a fair shot at a roster spot in training camp and will now have to pass through waivers if he sent down during the season. Unless he surprises big-time and makes the team out of camp, he may be stuck in the AHL for the entire season so as not to lose him by sending him up and down. He had a tough go in his one NHL game as it wasn’t handled well by former head coach Dave Tippett and company during the game. After Samorukov got sent down, he played well and didn’t allow himself to lose confidence. He is a good player, but if there isn’t room for him, he should be traded to bolster the Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes.

Raphael Lavoie

The Oilers are getting three to four talented prospects in Xavier Bourgault, Carter Savoie, Tyler Tullio, and possibly Matvei Petrov, who will be…