Scout’s Analysis: Looking at picks, prospects Oilers could offer in trade

The Edmonton Oilers came within one game of winning the Stanley Cup last June, so there’s no mistaking that this organization is in win-now mode. As we get close to the March 7 NHL trade deadline, Edmonton will surely be looking to improve its roster for another post-season run.

Recent results have unearthed many questions regarding the kind of player, or players, management should target. Edmonton has been outscored 26-14 over their current five-game losing streak. They’re a fragile team right now.

As the Oilers look to address some needs and add players, potential trade partners are going through the process of placing value on Edmonton’s prospects and draft capital in comparison to other teams around the league. 

Here’s a look at some prospects and draft slots the Oilers have to offer:

PROSPECTS

Since 2021 the Oilers have only made five picks in the first two rounds of the draft. Only one of those picks, forward Xavier Bourgault, was selected inside the top 25 (22^nd overall in 2021) and he’s no longer with the organization. Over the course of two drafts (2022 and 2023) Edmonton only made seven picks in total.  

Last June the Oilers made seven total selections, including London Knights forward Sam O’Reilly (32^nd) and Finnish goaltender Emil Vinni (64^th), but the rest of their picks came after the fourth-round. 

This has resulted in something predictable: Edmonton isn’t dealing from a position of strength when it comes to comparing their prospect depth to other teams in the NHL. 

Nonetheless, here’s a look at who may draw some interest.

Matthew Savoie, F, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds
Age: 21

Savoie is an exception to what I am outlining above. He was a top 10 pick in 2022 (ninth overall by Buffalo) who the Oilers acquired in the trade that sent Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Sabres. 

Savoie is Edmonton’s top prospect. He’s played to his offensive identity at the AHL level in Bakersfield and currently sits second in team scoring (13G-24A), which earned him an opportunity with the big club. Savoie has dressed in all three of the Oilers’ games coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off and contributed an assist in Edmonton’s 6-3 loss to Philadelphia on January 22. 

At the AHL level Savoie’s overall game has evolved to the point he is being deployed in all situations and averaging over 19 minutes per game in ice time. He wants the puck on his stick, sees the ice very well, and is equally dangerous distributing or directing plays on net. He works the flank on the power play, makes plays quickly, and has a quick release. Defensively he’s working hard to win puck battles and is generally alert in his zone. His plus-16 rating is a very positive statistic for a rookie forward.

I’m positive the Oilers would prefer not to include Savoie in any trades they are exploring, but teams will be asking for him and, as noted, Edmonton is in win-now mode so they have to consider all options available to them. 

NHL Projection: Middle six forward at even strength. Potential first-unit power play. 

Sam O’Reilly, F, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds
Age: 18

O’Reilly is a solid prospect who projects to be a two-way forward at the NHL level. He plays the game with three-zone detail and has the ability to be used in a variety of roles. The London Knights forward has produced 18G-35A offensively. Even more impressive is his plus-44 rating through London’s first 53 games. He averages over 18 minutes of ice time and is deployed in all situations. 

O’Reilly isn’t physically punishing, but he doesn’t shy away from traffic or battling to extend plays along the wall. I’m not sure what his ceiling will be offensively at the pro level, but the way he executes in all three zones makes him an attractive target in trade discussions. 

NHL Projection: Middle six forward. Secondary offence. Bulk of ice time will come at even strength and penalty-kill.

Beau Akey, D, 6-feet, 183 pounds
Age: 20 

The Oilers selected Akey in the second round (56^th overall) in 2023. He’s a slightly built two-way/transitional defender who’s playing for the Barrie Colts in the OHL. Akey was also a member of Canada’s world junior team this past Christmas. 

Akey logs over 22 minutes per game at the junior level. Almost all of his shifts come at even strength and the power play, which he quarterbacks. He’s very rarely used on the penalty-kill. He’s a capable distributor whose agility allows him to walk the blue line to open up passing lanes. Akey definitely leans playmaker more than shooter. He’s only potted 24 goals in his OHL career, compared to 76 assists. 

Akey is a solid skater. He has the quickness to jump to space ahead of opponents to kill plays defensively, and the open ice pace to lead or join the rush offensively. If he gets caught up ice, he generally has the speed to track back on time and return to position. He isn’t overly physical, instead relying on proper body position and an active stick in his zone, especially around his crease. 

Akey is a nice prospect, but he will need time to prove he can defend against bigger, stronger, more detailed professional skaters. He does have the potential to provide a secondary layer of offence, which makes him a more attractive target in potential trade discussions. 

NHL Projection: Two-way, transitional. Middle to bottom pairing defenceman at even strength. Potential second unit power play quarterback.

Shane Lachance, F, 6-foot-4, 218 pounds
Age: 21

The Oilers selected Lachance in the sixth round (186^th overall) in 2021. He’s the captain at Boston University and is finishing up his sophomore season. 

Lachance gives opponents all they can handle in the hard areas of the offensive zone. He has the size, and reach, to extend plays along the boards and around the crease. When he sets up around the net, he’s very difficult to move out of the way and is a massive distraction for goalies trying to find pucks. 

Lachance brings a combination of goal scoring and playmaking. Most of his assists come from simple small area plays when he extends zone time and chips pucks to teammates. His quickness has improved a great deal since his draft year. He’s capable of skating plays through the neutral zone, but can’t be described as a threat off the rush. 

Lachance averages over 17 minutes per game at BU. The bulk of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. On the power play he sets up at the net front or in the bumper position. He’s produced 23G-29A in 72 total college games. 

I’m keeping an eye on how other teams value Lachance at the trade deadline. He could be a name that’s included in a deal and ends up coming out of school at the end of the year. 

NHL Projection: Bottom six forward at even strength. Potential second unit power play. Power forward.

DRAFT CAPITAL

The Oilers lack capital in the upcoming draft, but their board is pretty flush with picks in 2026 and 2027. They have the flexibility to include second-round picks in the next three draft cycles. They don’t own a first-round pick this year, but my feeling is teams will be more interested in their first round slots in 2026 and 2027. This draft cycle isn’t as flush with high-end talent towards at the end of the first-round. Not having a first this year isn’t necessarily a detriment for Edmonton when talking trade with other teams. 

Here’s how their board looks, via PuckPedia:

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Edmonton’s prospect cupboard isn’t completely bare, but they don’t have a ton of high-end talent in their system. The team has sacrificed draft picks in the past and the result is predictable. The Oilers, in my opinion, only have one grade “A” prospect that teams could have interest in and that’s newly acquired Savoie. The other names I have proposed have potential to be mid-range NHL players, perhaps only role players when they mature. 

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