The Edmonton Oilers have been making strides in their ability to secure talent beyond the first round of the draft, a crucial development for any NHL team looking to build depth. Recent success stories include Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Vincent Desharnais, Stuart Skinner, and Ryan McLeod-all players who have climbed the ranks from being drafted outside the first round to finding success in the NHL.
Just a few years back, the names in this conversation were Anton Lander, Tyler Pitlick, Martin Marincin, Brandon Davidson, and Jujhar Khaira. It's clear that the Oilers are maximizing their draft opportunities, especially given the limited number of selections each year.
Stan Bowman has been a key player in overcoming the challenges posed by a lack of draft picks. By strategically signing college and European free agents, he’s bolstered the talent pool. The Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton's AHL affiliate, boast a strong lineup of forwards, some of whom have already made NHL appearances, with others poised to join the league soon.
Among these prospects, Connor Clattenburg stands out as the lone Oilers draft pick, but Bowman's additions have proven their worth. Take Josh Samanski, for example-if he continues to develop at center, his value to the Oilers could be immense.
This is a far cry from the strategy of 15 years ago when the team was adding older players like Charles Linglet, who lacked standout skills. Bowman's focus is on younger players, around 23 or 24, who bring something special to the table.
On a different note, Howard's trajectory suggests a solid NHL future, potentially exceeding 300 games. If any of the other bolded names reach that milestone, it would be a significant achievement for the organization.
Turning to the defensemen, prospects like Damien Carfagna and Beau Akey haven't been called up yet, but Carfagna shows promising progress. Alec Regula is another name to watch; after limited play in Edmonton, he's rebuilding his game and could see NHL action next season. Atro Leppanen has shown remarkable improvement, making him a potential candidate despite being one of the older players in the mix.
In goal, Connor Ungar is a standout prospect, with the possibility of being joined in Bakersfield by Samuel Jonsson next season. The Oilers' approach to developing talent is clearly paying dividends, setting the stage for a promising future.