2025-05-02 16:30:00

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Management in the Edmonton Oilers front office has been busy both on and off the ice. With most leagues in their last couple of rounds of playoffs this means hockey season is almost over. Since we’re on the verge of another season completed, let’s take a look at the Oilers prospects with breakout seasons this year. In order to be considered for this list the player/goalie must have been in the system since the start of the season. Honourable mention: Nathaniel Day, Flint Firebirds, OHL If Nathaniel Day’s season ended after the Flint Firebirds got eliminated, he simply wouldn’t of been on this list. It is what he has done since that makes him an intriguing prospect. He made his professional debut at the end of the Komets season, and across three regular season appearances (two starts) he posted two shutouts, a .981 save percentage, and a 0.43GAA. Once the Komets turned to Brett Brochu in the playoffs it was assumed Day wouldn’t see the ice again, but he’s been an important part of their playoffs so far too. Day posted stellar numbers (.941% and 1.47GAA), but once again across an albeit small sample size of four games. Looking back on his OHL season he showed some hidden ability, in terms of agility, play anticipation, and mobility. He had a save percentage of 86% on high danger chances, and a 92% on breakaway chances. He’s also proved to be a play starter with a 83% passing percentage starting breakouts. It could be intriguing to see if Day can continue this momentum next season. He is definitely one to monitor. #5 Joel Määttä, University of Vermont, NCAA Joel Määttä was a capable two way forward for Vermont this past season. Where his game typically revolves around compete level, physicality, and his defensive senses, he has shown some good growth this past season on the offensive side. The Finn almost doubled his previous career high of 14 points with 27 this season. That’s slightly impressive for a forward that only spent 40% of his shifts in the offensive zone, and over 3:08 of his total 18:04 of TOI on the penalty kill. He showed some growth offensively through five on five and his power play usage, where he was typically as a in-close finisher. In this role he generated 0.44 chances per game, while capitalizing on a career high 19% of those and generating an 0.17 goals expected. He is a senior with Vermont, so the Oilers do have to decide if they want to sign him relatively soon, and there’s simply not a sure answer there, but his chances definitely are better than they were this time last year. #4 William Nicholl, London Knights, OHL William Nicholl is steadily gaining confidence and poise as he continues to find his game in the OHL, with the storied London Knights. He has earned a solidified top-six role in London, playing 16:14 a night, and being a contributor on both special teams. With this increased role Nicholl has shattered his previous career highs in all major offensive categories this season, over tripling his previous high of six goals to net 21 this past season, and finding the scoresheet 57 times compared to his prior 20 in a season. Playing 55% of his shifts in the offensive zone does help, so too does generating 1.69 scoring chances and converting on 17% of them. He displayed improved puck skills too in terms of handling, and passing ability setting a career high in pass accuracy at 87% and dekeing with a 71% success rate. His physciality and compete are also showing with better use of his frame, and body positioning as an energy forward contributing to a 50% puck battle win percentage. He’s still a year or two away from competing with the pros, but this breakout campaign bodes well for his future as an Oilers prospect. #3 Maxim Beryozkin, Lokomotiv Yarlslavl, KHL Maxim Beryozkin has had a unique pathway, largely still playing in Russia as a 23-year-old. He has rounded out his game nicely this past season. He averaged 16:11 of TOI on a strong Lokomotiv squad, while contributing 2:15 on the power play. He had some skating and pace limitations coming into the season, but has done a good job of sorting those out. Season after season he has shown consistent and steady improvement in terms of rounding out his game, offensive output, and the finer things away from the puck. This season he set career highs in scoring chances with 1.22 per game, and despite a low 9% conversion rate, still found the scoresheet 42 times in the regular season, and continues to be a pivotal part of their playoff team too. Puck skills have improved in terms of more efficient puck protection, and passing placement/accuracy with a career high of 88% accuracy. With his physicality and shooting upside he looks to be a capable addition to the Oilers bottom six if he chooses to sign with the team this offseason. If he does expect him to suit up for the Alberta-based team next year. #2 Samuel Jonsson, BIK Karlskoga, Allsvenskan It’s hard to keep Samuel Jonsson off of this list after winning the Allsvanskan goaltender of the year. It’s unlikely he sees NHL action next year, as he’s projected to spend most of his time in the AHL, but he has potential. Posting a .922 across his teams regular season he impressed with his tracking, agility, and checking up. This contributed to him posting a .940 or above while going undefeated for a large portion of the season. Expect the Swede to contend for that Bakersfield Condors starting spot along with the likes of Day, and Rodrigue (if he gets re-signed). #1 Matthew Savoie, Bakersfield Condors, AHL This is a player who should be with the Oilers full time come next season. One of the hardest things for a recent junior player to do is adjust to the professional level, especially if they were one that relied on speed, and offensive senses. Matthew Savoie has done just that. He’s shown he can excel at the professional level, and his small taste of NHL games this year was a testament to that. Even his poise and discipline had career highs with only 0.13 penalties per game. On the Condors he averaged 18:27 of TOI, playing on both special teams which shows Head Coach Colin Chaulk’s belief in the young forward. Savoie only converted on 9% of scoring chances but still posted 54 points. Imagine what that production would be like if that number even goes up to normal. He plays a pretty complete game with quality skating, compete, senses, and puck skills all notable. It’s hard to picture he does not get a full time chance with the big squad next season. What does this mean for the organization? All six of these names should be familiar, as they are the same prospects that have been mentioned all year long due to these breakout seasons. With likely only three picks in the upcoming draft expect some these same names to be mentioned again next year. Did we miss any prospects in the Oilers system?