The first real game look at Edmonton Oilers rookies is on the calendar.
Tickets went on sale Wednesday at 1 p.m. MT for the NextGen Showcase, a matchup between Oilers rookies and Calgary Flames rookies set for Monday, Sept. 14, at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
That appears to be the only rookie game on the schedule. General Manager Stan Bowman said on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer on Aug. 7 that fans should expect just one meeting, and no announcement has been made about a return game at Rogers Place.
Bowman was asked in that interview about Josh Samanski and Isaac Howard, and he made it clear he liked what he saw from both players last season.
“I thought they both took a real big step last year,” said Bowman. “For Samanski, it was a big step for him coming from the German league (DEL).
“I think for Howard, coming out of the college ranks, he had a great season for us. You look at his production in Bakersfield - he was the real deal, and I think he got some exposure. I think hopefully that’s going to give him a leg up this year to be able to handle it and take the step kind of like Matt Savoie did.”
The rookie showcase comes at a time when those extra evaluation games have gotten harder to find. From 2010 through 2024, Oilers rookies went to Penticton for the Young Stars Classic 11 times, but that event was officially cancelled in 2025. Last September, the Battle of Alberta rookie games filled part of that gap, with Calgary winning both contests by one goal.
This year’s lead-up to the season is tighter than usual. The pre-season has been cut to four games, while the regular season has grown to 84 games, leaving less room for long looks at younger players.
The Oilers are believed to open training camp on Sept. 11. After the rookie game in Calgary, their first pre-season game comes at home on Saturday, Sept. 19, against the Winnipeg Jets.
From there, Edmonton heads on the road for games against the Jets on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, Sept. 24, before closing the pre-season at home on Saturday, Sept. 26, against the Calgary Flames.
The regular season follows quickly after that, with the home opener set for Tuesday, Sept. 29 against the Canucks.
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