As the season progresses some prospects continue to gain momentum. It was a busy week in the OHL with most teams playing three games. This past weekend was also a busy week for Edmonton Oilers goaltending prospects, as some names further solidify their development.
There is so much to get into this week- let’s dive right in!
Welcome to the TOR Edmonton Oilers prospect update. Each week, we’ll take a dive into how the Oilers’ prospects have done in their respective leagues. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games, and is younger than 25 years of age.
Fischer making a big splash
The recent addition from a trade with the St. Louis Blues made himself be known this past week with three assists in two games. Ironically though Paul Fischer is much more known for his defensive acumen then his ability to find the scoresheet.
As a stable top four defender for Notre Dame the freshman averages 22:12 TOI so far this season. In addition he tends to start 55% of his shifts in the defensive zone, showing the trust his coaches have in his defensive game.
Overall his play is highlighted by quality defensive instincts, physicality, and some hidden offensive upside.
In defensive play Fischer’s senses display quality play reading and anticipation that allows for his risk mitigation to kick in and often kill opposing chances against before they truly form. In transition Fischer shows good tight gap control that allows him to close gaps effectively if need be.
This gap control is complimented with good stick positioning, opponent isolation, and favourable body positioning, all in all allowing him to be a rush killer.
In the defensive zone he shows ok habits with quality stick lifts, scans, and retrievals.
With his muscle mass and frame he can be a physical presence in the slot. This physicality also makes him a target, and on the recieving end of 1.1 hits per game, demonstrating that the defenders balance and ability to absorb contact is above average. In addition he shows some grit on average blocking 1.78 shots per game.
A couple of his knocks in his draft year was his offensive creativity, decision making, and skating (speed and agility). While these are elements that cant be improved overnight, they have shown some progress with Fischer getting more confident in passing plays (94% accuracy), activations (0.11 Goals expected), and play support.
One good indication of this offensive growth is the fact that Fischer averages 3:46 of power play time per game. Expect the offensive side to continue to grow with his college years.
Edmonton Oilers prospect updates
AHL
- The Bakersfield Condors only played two games this past week, a high scoring 8–7 win against the San Diego Gull on the 16th, and a 4–2 loss against Abbotsford on the 19th.
- Noel Hoefenmayer had a four point game against the San Diego Gulls on the 16th. The defender only recently returned from injury.
- Right shot defenceman, Josh Brown, got called up by the Oilers on the 17th. Oilers have also claimed forward Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.
ECHL
- Goalie Connor Ungar appeared in one game this past week in a 4–1 loss to the Kalamazoo Wings.
Europe
- Samuel Jonsson remains undefeated this season. The Swede appeared in two games this past week. He secured his first shutout of the season against Kalmar HC this past Friday.
- Eemil Vinni appeared in two games posting a 1–1–0 record with a combined 45 saves on 50 shots.
- After being loaned to AIK, Albin Sundin has found a steady roster spot and the score board. The young defender put up three points in as many games this weekend, while averaging 14, 19, and 20 minutes per respective game.
NCAA
- Recently aquired defender, Paul Fischer, had a three point weekend against Michigan State this past weekend. Look for him to continue bringing a steady defensive presence to Notre Dame this year.
- Two games, two scoresheet nods for the big 6’5” Shane Lachance.
- Matt Capponi is demonstrating some good poise and once again finds himself on the scoresheet in one of Boston University’s two games this past week.
OHL
- Nathaniel Day had a week of mixed results in two games as his numbers look to rebound. However he capped off this past weekend with a game against the Erie Otters where he made 26/27 saves, good for a .963 save percentage.
- After being assigned back to the Ottawa 67’s, forward Brady Stonehouse potted his first two goals and points of the season in the last three games this past week.
- Three games this past week, and another four points for Beau Akey. The Barrie Colts defender is looking like he didn’t miss a beat after being injured for most of last season. Offence after offence.
- William Nicholl continues his upward trend, and remains at a point per game. Look for this seventh rounder with high compete and energy to continue shocking the OHL.
- Dalyn Wakely continues his dominance with three points in as many games this past week. Wakely is relentless on pucks, and with a scorers touch dont expect this momentum to go away anytime soon.
- Clattenburg looks sharp coming off his injury. Three points in the past three games, and playing with a bit of an edge with grit and some physicality.
Russia
- Defenceman Nikita Yevseyev appeared in three KHL games this past week, posting a +1 rating.
- Forward Maxim Beryozkin played a season high 18:57 in a game against Vityaz Moscow this past week, look for him to get more responsibility as the season goes on.
Forwards
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Berglund | C/LW | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.18 | 2 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Maxim Beryozkin | RW | 29 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 0.69 | 8 | Yaroslavl Lokomitiv | KHL |
| Connor Clattenburg | LW | 12 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 0.75 | 37 | Flint Firebirds | OHL |
| Matt Copponi | C | 11 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0.64 | 4 | Boston University | NCAA |
| Maxim Denezhkin | C | 25 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0.28 | 8 | Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg | KHL |
| Jayden Grubbe | C/RW | 14 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0.29 | 4 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| James Hamblin | C/LW | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.40 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Roby Järventie | LW/RW | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.00 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Shane Lachance | LW | 11 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 1.00 | 4 | Boston University | NCAA |
| Tomas Mazura | C | 11 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 1.10 | 2 | St. Lawrence University | NCAA |
| Joel Määttä | C | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.55 | 0 | University of Vermont | NCAA |
| William Nicholl | C/LW | 20 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 1.00 | 6 | London Knights | OHL |
| Sam O’Reilly | C | 18 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 0.67 | 8 | London Knights | OHL |
| Matvei Petrov | LW/RW | 13 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0.38 | 4 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Matthew Savoie | C/W | 14 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 0.64 | 6 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| James Stefan | RW/LW | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.17 | 8 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Brady Stonehouse | RW/LW | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.50 | 4 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Dalyn Wakely | C | 11 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 1.18 | 10 | Barrie Colts | OHL |
| Cameron Wright | RW/C | 13 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.38 | 6 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
Defence
| Player | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beau Akey | 16 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 0.81 | 16 | Barrie Colts | OHL |
| Bauer Berry | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.06 | 8 | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL |
| Paul Fischer | 12 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0.58 | 6 | University of Notre Dame | NCAA |
| Ronnie Attard | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.08 | 19 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Noel Hoefenmayer | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0.86 | 2 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Philip Kemp | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.21 | 7 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Luca Münzenberger | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0.33 | 4 | University of Vermont | NCAA |
| Albin Sundin | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.43 | 0 | Frölunda HC | SHL |
| Maximus Wanner | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.14 | 22 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Nikita Yevseyev | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.07 | 0 | Ak Bars Kazan | KHL |
Goaltenders
| Player | GP | GAA | SV% | Record | SO | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Day | 18 | 2.96 | .891 | 8-9-1 | 1 | Flint Firebirds | OHL |
| Samuel Jonsson | 8 | 1.77 | .918 | 7-0-0 | 1 | BIK Karlskoga | HockeyAllsvenskan |
| Olivier Rodrigue | 7 | 2.59 | .919 | 4-2-1 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Connor Ungar | 5 | 4.58 | .860 | 3-2-0 | 0 | Fort Wayne Comets | ECHL |
| Eemil Vinni | 4 | 2.01 | .913 | 3-1-0 | 0 | HIFK U20 | U20 SM-sarja |
Photo from @NDHockey on Twitter
