Entering the 2024 offseason, the Edmonton Oilers had one of the weakest prospect pools in the NHL, lacking top-end talent and potential, with equally disappointing depth. However, under interim general manager Jeff Jackson, the team has revitalized their prospects through several trades and the draft. While the pool might still be below average, there are now a few prospects to be excited about.
Honorable Mentions: Carter Savoie, Max Wanner, Shane Lachance, Jayden Grubbe, Dalyn Wakely
10. James Stefan, RW
James Stefan is a soon-to-be 21-year-old winger who went undrafted but signed an entry-level contract with the Oilers late in the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound California native dominated last season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Portland Winterhawks, scoring 50 goals and 101 points in 67 games.
Stefan’s strongest attribute is his accurate wrist shot, with his impressive hockey IQ and awareness also deserving of praise. He is not the greatest skater, but he has the potential to develop into a bottom-six role over the next few seasons.
9. Matvei Petrov, RW/LW
Matvei Petrov was a prospect many Oilers fans were very excited about following his first two seasons in the organization. For the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the young winger had 67 goals and 183 points across 128 regular season games. However, his first season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Bakersfield Condors was very disappointing.
Petrov, 21, scored just nine goals and 14 points in 53 games with the Condors. For someone who is known for their offensive abilities, these were incredibly disappointing numbers. However, it was his first season playing professional hockey, so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts this season. Regardless, his potential is likely capped at an above-average bottom-six winger with at least two more seasons of development needed.
8. Maxim Beryozkin, RW
Given his long-term uncertainties, Maxim Beryozkin is a tough prospect to place on the list. The Oilers selected the Russian winger in the 2020 Draft and he has put up respectable offensive numbers in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) over the past two seasons. In 114 games he had 15 goals and 56 points, which may not seem like much, but for the KHL, a notoriously low-scoring league, he did quite well.
Beryozkin, 22, is signed to a KHL contract through this season but could come to Edmonton for the 2025-26 season. His strong playmaking ability and…
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