With the trade deadline soon approaching, the Edmonton Oilers are in buyers mode which always comes with the price of picks and prospects. Additionally the Oilers only have a second-, third-, sixth-, and seventh-rounder in this upcoming 2025 draft. This means that Edmonton might decide on moving prospects rather than further reduce their draft capital in 2026 or 2027 draft classes.
With all that being said, which five prospects might have the most value for Stan Bowman on the trade market this year?
Let’s take a look.
#5 Connor Clattenburg, F, (2005), Flint Firebirds, OHL
The Arnprior, Ontario product has been a wrecking ball for the Flint Firebirds this past season. He plays a heavy power forward’s game. This game is highlighted by strong physciality, high compete, and moderate skating.
He is a tough opponent to play against due to his high energy, play disruption, and angles of attack that make him hard to avoid. Lots of defensive pressure exertion, and a heavily physical presence due to high frequency hits, and explosive hitting form mixed in with quality grit and battles for position.
Decent skating in most regards, (posture, stride, power) but it is unlikely that Clattenburg would be a high end skater at the NHL level.
There are clear limitations in terms of offensive awareness, play creation, puck skills refinement, and chances for generation. These are the largest barriers to his game as he simply wont show up on the scoresheet which might deter fans.
Projection: Bottom-six energy forward
Value: Likely a throw in with some late round picks for a NHL quality bottom of the lineup player (defence or forward)
#4 Paul Fischer, F, (2005), University of Notre Dame, NCAA
This is one of two names that might sound familiar to fans who tuned in to the last iteration of the World Juniors. The young American defender is plying his trade admirably in the NCAA with Notre Dame.
Fischer came to the Oilers in a deal with the St. Louis Blues for essentially not matching the Philip Broberg or Dylan Holloway offer sheets.
The 6’1” defenceman proves to be a capable transitional defender with some quality defensive upside. His game is highlighted by senses, physicality, and some recently developing offensive awareness.
The young American shows quality angling risk mitigation, play reading, and play anticipation. He shows strong gap control that mixes compete level with physicality as he takes away options, closes gaps quickly, and isolates opponents.
In offensive play, the Notre Dame defender shows quality puck skills through decent option identification, passing aptitude, and in-zone vision that can set up plays quite well.
Above average shooting in terms of a slight deception in his release at the last moment, quality power, and accuracy. His time in the NCAA has also unlocked more offensive play awareness, offensive instincts, and higher chance generation ability than he had in junior.
If this development continues he could be more than his projection, so this might be an intriguing prospect for a team to buy low on.
Projection: Top-six defender
Value: Likely could garner a top-nine forward, or be part of a bigger package for a top-six rental
#3 Sam O’Reilly, F, (2006), London Knights, OHL
The energy forward of the London Knights. The two way forward is a high compete, high pace forward with quality physicality and senses that have an improving offensive upside.
His game has solid base of compete level defined by a very high end motor, play disruption, and gap identification. Lots of space manipulation in his game. On the defensive end of the game he shows quality lane awareness, defensive pressure exertion, and positioning highlighting how this compete blends well with his defensive senses to isolate risks, and force turnovers.
Which is further complimented by his skating as he remains to have quality stride, acceleration, and improving power as his muscle mass grows with maturity.
Speaking of muscle mass physicality also plays a central role in his game as he constantly fights for body leverage, positoning, and has high board play engagement rates.
O’Reilly is a prime candidate to be moved this trade deadline in order to facilitate a top-six rental deal.
Projection: Top-nine forward at the NHL level
Value: Likely a part of a bigger package with a couple of picks to bring in a solid top nine, or a rental top-six NHL addition
#2 Beau Akey, D, (2005), Barrie Colts, OHL
Akey has been a solid presence for the Barrie Colts this past season, which bodes well for his trade value this upcoming deadline.
The defender’s game is highlighted by dynamic skating, quality puck skills, and offensive senses. This dynamic skating is evident through his way above average stability, and posture that generate a silky stride, quality stride recovery, and rapid acceleration.
This skating blends well with Akey’s consistent senses and scanning that enable good defensive instincts (tie ups and box outs), quick risk management/recovery, and effective offensive activations that gain zone entries, and contribute quality offensive pressure on his opponents.
His play recognition and playmaking ability is complimented by his puck skills, vision, and handling.
Above average physicality (battles, grit, and board battle effectiveness).
Projection: Likely a top-four offensive minded power play specialist
Value: A middle-six NHL forward/defender, who much like O’Reilly could be part of a bigger package for a rental top-six forward
#1 Matthew Savoie, F, (2004), Bakersfield Condors, AHL
Very rarely does an NHL ready prospect enter the trade market. Expect all of the major rebuilding clubs to take a long look at the Condors this trade deadline.
There’s little that Savoie doesn’t do, highlighted by strong skating ability (agility, quick stride, good stride recovery, and deception), puck skills (ability, pass diversity, playmaking ability), and senses (200-foot player, lane awareness, and high danger chance generator).
At the Oil Rig we’ve taken a look at Savoie multiple times check out some of those more detailed scouting reports here.
This is certainly a prospect that could help the Oilers right now if given the opportunity, but don’t be surprised to see his name pop up on the trade deadline heading somewhere other than Edmonton.
Whatever player headed back would ideally be a piece that pushes the Oilers over the edge towards the Cup.
Projection: Top-six forward that would compliment rush attackers quite well
Value: A high end top-six rental forward or top-four defender
Honourable mentions: William Nicholl, Dayln Wakely, Shane Lachance, and Samuel Jonsson.
It’s safe to say that at least one of these prospects mentioned will get traded to make room for a playoff rental. This is the natural cycle of a buy now team after all.
What other Oilers prospects do you think will be traded? Would you like a more detailed scouting breakdown of any of the aforementioned prospects? Let us know in the comments below.
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