The Edmonton Oilers had a rather subdued presence in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, having traded away their pick back at the 2025 trade deadline to bring in defenseman Jake Walman. With the Oilers sitting on the sidelines during the first round, fans and management alike had to wait for their team's turn to make a splash. The trade market's high prices left little room for maneuvering, keeping the Oilers mostly out of the spotlight.
Oilers Draft Recap
Heading into the second day of the draft, the Oilers had four picks to work with: 52, 84, 180, and 212. However, true to the strategic nature of the draft, they made some moves to trade back and gather additional picks.
The first move saw the Oilers trade their 52nd overall pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning, receiving the 58th and 133rd overall picks in return.
58th Overall
With their newly acquired 58th pick, the Oilers chose Rudolfs Berzkalns, a forward from the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. This Latvian center is committed to Boston College for the 2027-28 season.
Standing tall at 6'4" and weighing in at 203 pounds, Berzkalns is known for his defensive strength and physical play. While his offensive stats-25 points in 48 games-might not jump off the page, his mature style of play and defensive acumen make him a promising bottom-six shutdown center with the potential to chip in offensively.
84th Overall
Next up, the Oilers used their own 84th pick to draft Malcom Gastrin, a Swedish winger from MoDo of the U20 Nationell. Gastrin, the younger brother of Milton Gastrin, a 2025 draftee of the Washington Capitals, brings skill and energy to the ice.
At 6'0" and 174 pounds, his size isn't imposing, but his ability to create chances and his vision with the puck are his standout attributes. At just 17, Gastrin is raw but full of potential, with his 18th birthday around the corner in August.
133rd Overall
With the pick they got from the Lightning, the Oilers selected Andrew Robinson, a defenseman from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. Robinson, a left-shot defenseman standing at 6'0" and 190 pounds, showcased his skills in 63 games, tallying 24 points.
Despite modest numbers, Robinson is a versatile two-way player with a knack for smart puck movement and defensive play. While it's hard to pin down his future NHL role, he could very well develop into a solid No. 4 to No. 6 puck-moving defenseman.
180th Overall
Continuing with talent from the Windsor Spitfires, the Oilers picked Caden Harvey at 180th overall. Harvey, who played 68 games with 34 points to his name, is known for his relentless work ethic.
Though not a prolific scorer at the OHL level, Harvey has shown glimpses of offensive potential. He fits the Oilers' mold as a projectable depth player who could provide secondary scoring.
212th Overall
With their final pick in the seventh round, the Oilers selected goaltender Ryan Cameron from the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL. Cameron, who will play for the Sioux Falls Stampede next season before heading to Boston College in 2027-28, posted a 24-11-5 record with a 2.92 goals against average and a .882 save percentage over 40 games. At 6'0" and 174 pounds, Cameron might not have the size of a typical modern NHL goalie, but his experience and roots in the USHL, where Oilers' assistant GM Kalle Larsson has deep ties, make him an intriguing prospect.
In summary, the Oilers' draft strategy focused on building depth and potential, with a mix of size, skill, and defensive prowess. While they may not have made headlines on day one, the groundwork laid on day two could pay dividends in the seasons to come.
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