Oilers prospect pool offers thin depth ahead of 2026-27

The Oilers possess one of the NHL’s bleakest prospect pools despite reaching the Stanley Cup final in consecutive seasons.

Levi anchors thin goaltending group

Devon Levi, acquired from Buffalo, enters the 2026-27 season at age 24 after posting strong AHL numbers in prior years. The three-goalie setup with Frederik Andersen and Tristan Jarry gives him immediate competition for starts. Levi’s college and junior accolades include two top-goaltender selections in the NCAA and world juniors. His arrival directly addresses the Oilers’ repeated failure to keep pucks out of the net during the prior campaign.

The defensive environment around Levi remains a concern after the team allowed high shot volumes in 2025-26. Stuart Skinner and Jarry both posted worse save percentages in Edmonton than in their previous stops. If Levi can maintain an AHL-to-NHL transition similar to his Buffalo sample, the Oilers gain a higher-upside option than any netminder they have developed internally since 2021.

Forward prospects provide complementary depth

Isaac Howard recorded 63 points in 67 AHL games as a rookie before struggling in limited NHL minutes. His speed and skill profile suit a bottom-six role if he improves his decision-making under NHL pace. Quinn Hutson earned AHL all-rookie honors with the same 63-point total and projects as a secondary scorer who can handle bottom-six minutes.

Dalyn Wakely posted 19 points in 35 NCAA games at UMass-Lowell after a productive OHL career. Rudolfs Berzkalns, selected 58th overall in 2026, brings cycle play and neutral-zone disruption suited for penalty-kill duty. These players contrast with the top-end talent already on the roster and offer incremental rather than transformative upgrades.

Defensive pipeline remains a long-term project

Asher Barnett advanced play from the Michigan blue line in his freshman season after a defensive-focused NTDP tenure. Paul Fischer continued to refine puck-handling at Notre Dame following his acquisition from St. Louis. Andrew Robinson, taken 133rd overall in 2026, focuses on simple defensive play without high-risk puck rushes.

These developments occur against a backdrop of limited overall blue-line depth. Nikita Yevseyev remains in the KHL and Beau Akey continues to battle injuries. The contrast between forward and defensive development timelines means the Oilers will rely on free agency or trades for immediate defensive help.