In what was a shock of the draft, the Edmonton Oilers traded a future first round pick for the 32nd overall pick. They selected Sam O’Reilly of the London Knights, which gives them a very good two-way centreman to add to their prospect pool.
Now, Day One is in the books, and there is a ton of talent remaining on the board for Day Two. The Oilers have one second round pick, and any of these players could be available for them with this pick. Here’s who remains on the board going into the second day of the draft.
Nikita Artamonov
Nikita Artamonov is a Russian winger who played nearly his entire draft eligible season in the KHL. He put up 23 points in 54 games as an 18-year-old. Known for his smarts and exceptional hands, he looks like he could be a great player in a couple of years.
Charlie Elick
A WHL defenceman for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Charlie Elick was just under a half-point-per-game player this season. A really smart defensive defenceman, Elick is an excellent skater who is known for making excellent outlet passes. The Oilers could use a really strong defensive defenceman in the prospect pool, and Elick would be a massive addition to the system.
Alfons Freij
The smooth skating Swedish defenceman is known for his offensive output without sacrificing his defensive responsibility. His skating and hands are excellent, but Alfons Freij doesn’t bring the physicality that most defencemen do. While this can be taught, particularly when he makes the move to North America, it’s not a natural part of his game. He’s reasonably raw, but could develop nicely in a few years into a good middle-pairing defenceman.
Teddy Stiga
Teddy Stiga took an enormous stride forward in his draft year, putting up 79 points in 61 games with the US National Team Development Program. Known for his intelligence both with and without the puck, Stiga is an excellent forward with a high ceiling. Adding skill is never a bad idea.
Andrew Basha
Andrew Basha put up 85 points this season but was playing on one of the best lines in the WHL. He’s a great player, who skates well and can definitely put the puck in the net, but what he is without his linemates is the big question mark. His team last season included Gavin McKenna (first overall favourite in 2025), Oasiz Wiesblatt, and Cayden Lindstrom. He clearly can play well with good forwards, which the Oilers have lots of.
Aron Kiviharju
One of the most interesting players in the draft, Aron Kiviharju was expected to be a top-five pick a couple years ago but lost almost his entire season to injury. The potential is there and the offensive skills are clearly present for the offensive defenceman, but are they enough for him to become an impact NHLer?
Cole Hutson
The younger brother of Lane Hutson, Cole Hutson is a supremely talented defenseman committed to Boston University next season. With great feet and a nose for the net, Hutson has the potential to be a good offensive defenceman in a few years with the right training. He does need to work on his defensive game, and being 5’10” is always a concern for defensemen.
Igor Chernyshov
The 6’2″ winger spent more of the season in the KHL than the MHL, but was above a point-per-game in the latter league this season. Igor Chernyshov uses his size to his advantage and is smart enough to find his teammates open for chances on net. While he’s a couple years away, the skills are undoubtedly there for him to develop into a good NHLer.
Henry Mews
Henry Mews is a 6’1″ defenceman who had 61 points in 65 games for the Ottawa 67’s this season, which is enormous for a draft-eligible prospect. His offensive skills are very clear, and his skating helps him be as good as he is in the offensive zone. However his defensive game is clearly under construction. He has taken strides to work on this, but will need lots of work going forward. If the Oilers feel this is teachable, it may not be a bad idea to look at him.
What to expect on Day Two of the draft
There are a lot of picks before the Oilers draft in the second round, and there is a good chance a few of these names could be off the board. However, the Oilers have shown that if they really want someone, they aren’t afraid to trade up to get him. One thing is for certain, there is a lot of talent still left on the board, and the Oilers will undoubtedly have the option to select someone good in the next round.
