Oilers Make Roster Moves as Samanski Joins Draisaitl Ahead of Olympics
There’s a full-circle feel to Justin Samanski’s arrival in Edmonton. Like Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, Samanski left home at a young age to chase hockey dreams in Mannheim.
He was just 13 when he made that leap-roughly the same age Draisaitl did when he took the same path. Now, years later, the two are teammates in Edmonton and soon to be linemates again on Germany’s Olympic roster.
Draisaitl welcomed Samanski to the Oilers with a text message on Sunday, a big-brother move from the team’s leader and the captain of the German national team. The two will reunite on the international stage in just a few weeks, when the Olympic tournament kicks off in Italy.
Samanski earned his Olympic nod with a strong showing at the 2025 World Championship, where he skated alongside Tim Stützle and Moritz Seider. He registered five points in seven games, catching the attention of Germany’s selectors.
He’ll join a national squad that’s quietly building one of its deepest rosters in recent memory, featuring NHLers like Draisaitl, Stützle, Seider, J.J. Peterka, Nico Sturm, and Philipp Grubauer, along with European-based veterans Dominik Kahun and Tobias Rieder-both of whom have past ties to the Oilers.
Cap Crunch Leads to Howard-Samanski Swap
The Oilers' decision to bring in Samanski wasn’t just about fit-it was about finance. Edmonton made the move by swapping out forward Howard, a cap-conscious decision that gave the team a bit more breathing room.
As cap expert Hart Levine noted, the Oilers didn’t have space in their LTIR performance pool, so the change was necessary. The result?
Edmonton’s cap space climbed from $271,000 to $425,000-still tight, but every dollar counts when you’re managing a contender.
Howard, who had been recalled on January 2 after earning AHL Player of the Month honors, heads back to Bakersfield for the second time this season. He brought energy to the Oilers’ third line alongside Matt Savoie, but the production didn’t follow.
In 11 January games, Howard logged just two assists and 14 shots in an average of 11:36 of ice time. That’s a step up from his earlier stint, when he averaged closer to nine minutes per game in his first 17 NHL appearances, but the offensive impact still hasn’t materialized.
Through 28 games in his rookie season, he’s totaled just two goals and five points.
Mangiapane in Limbo Amid Trade Chatter
Andrew Mangiapane remains a puzzle in Edmonton’s lineup. After getting a look next to Draisaitl against Washington on Saturday-where he saw just 9:39 of ice time due to a parade of special teams play-he’s once again out of the lineup for the Anaheim game. January has been a stop-and-start month for Mangiapane, with seven games played and six sat out.
Trade rumors have hovered for nearly a month, but nothing has materialized. The holdup?
Likely the second year on his $3.6 million contract. Unless the Oilers are willing to sweeten the pot with a draft pick, suitors may be hard to find.
Edmonton hasn’t pulled the trigger on waivers yet either, which would allow them to stash the winger in Bakersfield and clear $1.15 million in cap space. For now, Mangiapane remains caught in a holding pattern.
Woodcroft Returns to Edmonton-Behind the Opposing Bench
There was a familiar face behind the Ducks’ bench Monday night: former Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, now serving as an assistant under Joel Quenneville. This marked Woodcroft’s first return to Rogers Place since his dismissal on November 12, 2023, when Kris Knoblauch took over the reins.
Woodcroft’s tenure in Edmonton was solid-133 games coached, a 79-41-13 regular-season record, and a 14-14 playoff mark across 28 games. He was in the mix for several head coaching jobs after his departure but has since taken a step back into an assistant role, with previous stops in San Jose and Detroit before landing in Anaheim.
Calder Race Heating Up
The Calder Trophy race is starting to take shape, and Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke is making a serious case. He notched his first NHL hat trick in Calgary on Sunday, pushing his goal total to 18.
His main competition? Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who’s anchoring New York’s blue line with poise beyond his years.
Ducks Rolling, Oilers Searching for Consistency
Anaheim arrived in Edmonton riding a seven-game winning streak-their second such run of the season. That kind of consistency has eluded the Oilers, who have yet to string together even three consecutive wins this year. It’s a stark contrast that underscores the rollercoaster nature of Edmonton’s campaign so far.
Skinner Struggling to Find a Foothold in San Jose
Jeff Skinner, who spent last season with the Oilers, is set to return to town Thursday as a member of the San Jose Sharks. But his role remains uncertain.
With just six goals and 13 points in 32 games, Skinner hasn’t been able to gain traction with the Sharks’ coaching staff. He’s currently skating as an extra forward and seems well aware of the situation.
“I’m aware of the roster situation, the number of young guys here, and sort of where I fit in the big picture,” he told local media.
Around the Rink: Pronger, Gretzky, and the Farm Report
Chris Pronger was in the building Monday night, working with the Prime TV broadcast crew. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since he patrolled the Oilers’ blue line alongside Jaroslav Spacek during that memorable 2006 run.
Speaking of legends, Wayne Gretzky officially joined the senior citizen club on Monday, turning 65. The Great One was just 17 when he suited up for his first game with the Oilers in 1978. Fellow Hall of Famer Mark Messier hit the same milestone last week.
Down on the farm, Bakersfield’s blue line has taken a hit. Beau Akey took a puck to the face while on the bench in San Jose and is expected to miss time.
Riley Stillman, who’s appeared in four games with the Oilers this month, also suffered a left leg injury in that same game. With Cam Dineen still sidelined after just 17 AHL games this season, the Condors are suddenly thin on the back end.
In net, Swedish rookie Samuel Jonsson has posted a .907 save percentage through 14 ECHL games, while fellow prospect Nathaniel Day has logged more action-21 games-but with a lower .889 mark.
The Oilers have decisions to make, both on and off the ice. With the Olympic break approaching and the trade deadline looming, the next few weeks could be pivotal in shaping the rest of their season-and their future.