Damien Carfagna Emerging as a Legitimate Option on the Oilers’ Blue Line
By midseason, every NHL team is dealing with some level of defensive attrition. Whether it’s injuries, age catching up to veterans, or younger players pushing their way up the depth chart, reinforcements on the back end are always in demand.
For the Edmonton Oilers, who’ve enjoyed relatively good health on defense in recent years, the churn hasn’t been as dramatic. Still, even with a healthy blue line, they’ve already used 10 different defensemen this season - and with the trade deadline looming, it’s fair to expect at least one more name to join the mix.
But while the focus is often on immediate NHL help, Edmonton’s front office - led by general manager Stan Bowman - has also been quietly working to stock the pipeline in Bakersfield. And in Damien Carfagna, they may have found a player who’s not just filling a spot in the AHL, but potentially knocking on the NHL door.
AHL Arrival, NHL Potential
Signed out of Ohio State in March 2025, Carfagna has quickly become one of the Bakersfield Condors’ most reliable defensemen. He’s 23 - a bit older than the typical rookie - and that maturity is showing in his game. Alongside fellow first-year pro Beau Akey, Carfagna has brought speed, puck-moving ability, and a strong two-way presence to the Condors’ blue line.
Both rookies have impressed with their skating and transition game, but Carfagna’s age and experience give him a slight edge in terms of NHL readiness. And the numbers back that up.
When looking at five-on-five goal differential - a solid indicator of a defenseman’s impact - Carfagna is in rare company among Condors rookies. In recent years, only a few players have posted similarly strong rookie seasons in Bakersfield and gone on to graduate to the NHL, including Philip Broberg and Michael Kesselring.
Carfagna isn’t just surviving at the AHL level - he’s outscoring opponents when he’s on the ice. That’s a key early test for any defenseman, and he’s passing it.
Second-Half Surge
One of the clearest signs of Carfagna’s growth this season has been his post-holiday performance. Before Christmas, he was solid: 21 games, 2 goals, 5 assists, and an even 14-14 split in five-on-five goals.
Since the break, though, he’s taken a noticeable step forward. In 18 games, he’s put up 3 goals and 2 assists, and the Condors are outscoring opponents 16-10 with him on the ice at even strength.
That’s not just incremental improvement - that’s a rookie finding his stride. He’s earning more minutes, playing in more critical situations, and showing the kind of defensive responsibility that coaches love to see in young blueliners.
Head coach Colin Chaulk has done a strong job developing defensemen in Bakersfield, and Carfagna is clearly responding to the opportunity. He’s not logging heavy power-play time yet, but he’s being trusted in key five-on-five minutes - and he’s making them count.
Offensive Outlook
Offense from the blue line is always tricky to evaluate at the AHL level, especially for rookies. Condors fans have seen standout seasons from the likes of Evan Bouchard and Broberg, who both averaged well over 0.6 points per game in their first AHL seasons. Carfagna’s numbers aren’t in that range - he’s at 0.31 points per game overall, and just 0.20 at even strength - but that’s not necessarily a red flag.
He’s not getting much time on the power play, and his offensive profile has always leaned more toward puck-moving and transition than point production. In that sense, his numbers are more in line with someone like Kesselring, who also didn’t light up the scoresheet in Bakersfield but proved to be NHL-capable.
Carfagna may never be a top-unit power-play guy, but his ability to move the puck efficiently and defend responsibly gives him a shot at carving out a role in a third-pairing or penalty-killing capacity.
Where He Fits in Edmonton’s Plans
Here’s where things get interesting.
The Oilers’ left side on defense is crowded. Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Jake Walman, and Spencer Stastney are all established NHLers, and all are playing regular minutes. That makes it tough for a left-handed rookie like Carfagna to crack the lineup - especially when someone like Riley Stillman, who’s already played NHL games this season, is ahead of him on the depth chart.
There’s also Atro Leppanen, the Finnish free-agent signing who was showing real growth before an injury sidelined him just after Christmas. He recently re-upped with Edmonton on a one-year, two-way deal - another sign that the organization values his potential.
And then there’s Beau Akey. The 20-year-old is a right-handed shot, which could give him an edge in terms of fit, even if Carfagna is slightly more NHL-ready right now.
All of that means Carfagna’s path to the big club isn’t clear - at least not this season.
Trade Chip or Future Piece?
With the trade deadline approaching, Carfagna’s name could come up in conversations. The Oilers have used AHL prospects as deadline currency before - Kesselring was moved in 2023 for rental forward Nick Bjugstad - and Bowman doesn’t have a deep pool of attractive trade assets to work with.
If a team is looking for a near-ready defense prospect, Carfagna might be one of the more enticing options the Oilers can offer. His age, mobility, and strong AHL performance make him a logical candidate to be included in a deal - especially if the return is a piece that can help Edmonton make a deep playoff run.
But there’s also a case to be made for holding onto him. The Oilers have been burned before by moving on from young defensemen too soon, and with Carfagna clearly trending in the right direction, the smarter play may be to keep him in the system and let him develop further.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead to 2026-27, Carfagna will likely come to training camp battling for a third-pairing spot - possibly against Stastney, who’s performed well and is on a team-friendly deal. That’s a tough matchup for any young player, but Carfagna’s rapid adjustment to the pro game gives him a fighting chance.
He’s not a perfect prospect. At 6'0", 185 pounds, he’s not going to overwhelm anyone physically, and the Oilers may prefer someone with more size or a right-handed shot. But what he does bring - speed, poise, and a growing defensive game - is valuable, especially in today’s NHL.
In less than 40 AHL games, Carfagna has shown he belongs. Whether his NHL debut comes this season or next, he’s put himself firmly in the conversation. For a team that’s always looking to balance win-now urgency with long-term development, that’s exactly the kind of progress you want to see.