With the Olympic break here, many Edmonton Oilers fans are glued to the TV for international matchups. With Oilers representatives like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, no one can blame them. Josh Samanski from the Bakersfield Condors is also representing Germany. Both the Condors and Fort Wayne Komets have gained ground this break too.
Let’s take a look at everything happening within the Oilers system from this past week.
The Oil Rig has defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games and was born in 2001 or later.
Tommy Lafreniere, Forward, Kamloops Blazers, WHL
Who is Tommy Lafreniere?
The Kamloops Blazers forward was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NHL draft. The Quebec-born product has put together a successful CHL career so far, with 123 points across 131 games. He is most known for his two-way acumen, and relentless compete level.
Lafreniere is in the middle of a breakout season in the WHL, and remains the top-scoring Oilers prospect by a wild 11-point margin. The 2007-born prospect also joins the wave of CHLers joining the NCAA’s ranks, with a formal commitment to Western Michigan University Broncos for the 2026–27 season.
What type of game does Lafreniere play?
Lafreniere’s play-style resembles that of a two-way forward, whose game is defined by his high-end compete level, defensive senses, and newfound puck skills. Lafreniere, just like last season, takes no shifts off, and when you are playing on the most deadly line in the WHL, why would you?
Defensively, Lafreniere remains the same responsible, disruption-based forward that he was on draft day, with high-quality defensive senses, and relentless play engagement.
Offensively, Lafreniere has elevated his soft skills with more consistent play-reading, higher-end passing, and better shot selection.
Lafreniere’s season so far
Across 54 games with the Kamloops Blazers, Lafreniere has scored 32 goals and posted 31 assists, for 53 points with 21:15 of TOI per game, and heavy special-teams usage.
As usual, Lafreniere’s compete level is his shining element, as he never gives up on plays, has a higher second effort chance and conversion rate, and demonstrates his hustle every single shift.
One of the primary reasons for Lafreniere’s success is who he is playing with. The third-rounder is benefiting from a red-hot Nathan Behm and J.P Hurlbert, which allows for more space, eases the pressure, and amplifies his 2.8 scoring chances per game with a 14% conversion rate.
The WHLer’s puck skills have also improved since draft day, with smoother puck placement, pass accuracy (88%), and better handling mechanics. Additionally, Lafreniere’s deke success rate this season has jumped to 83% from 66% last year. These improvements have further amplified his playmaking and play-timing.
One area of concern is just how sustainable his point production is as key categories like goals expected, have actually gone down, which indicates that the reason he is converting is likely because there’s less pressure on him due to his higher-skilled linemates.
This is where the true progression of his offensive upside remains in question whether it’s a self-improvement or just because the Blazers in general have gotten better.
Finishing, dynamic offensive instincts, and decision-making remain areas of concern in his game. With Lafreniere’s NCAA commitment, the Canadian forward has 4.5 years to work on his soft skill elements before moving up to the professional ranks.
What to expect from Lafreniere
Lafreniere will translate to professional hockey due to his sheer workhorse nature, defensive responsibility, and pace-pushing. It’s purely just a matter of whether Lafreniere can consistently deliver on the offensive side of the puck, and the extended NCAA runway will certainly prove that.
Expect to see Lafreniere compete for an Oilers roster spot in around four years, and realistically at worst Lafreniere could feasibly be a top-nine checking line forward.
Edmonton Oilers prospect updates
AHL
- The Condors played a pair of games against San Diego, losing their first game 3–1 on the 13th, but redeeming themselves the following day with a 5–4 win.
- The Condors sit third in the AHL’s Pacific division. Bakersfield has 59 points on the campaign with a 26–15–7 record.
- Although he is not currently playing for the Bakersfield Condors, forward prospect Josh Samanski is representing Team Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, so keep an eye out for him.
- Matt Savoie was assigned to the Condors this week.
ECHL
- The Fort Wayne Komets went a perfect 3–0–0 this past week. The ECHL affiliate collected a pair of wins against the Indy Fuel on the 13th and 14th, while also beating rival Toledo 4–3 in OT on the 15th.
- The Komets are now tied with Toledo for 1st in the ECHL’s Central Division with 61 points. Fort Wayne has compiled a 27–13–7 record this season.
- Goaltenders Samuel Jonsson and Nathaniel Day are back to their winning ways and look to improve upon their ECHL save percentages, which are .904 and .892, respectively.
- Defender Tyler Inamoto was reassigned to the Komets from Bakersfield on February 10th.
Europe
- In his sole game this past week, goaltender Daniel Salonen posted a 27-save shutout against HIFK on the 13th. Salonen’s confidence is increasing with every start in the 20-year-old’s rookie campaign.
- Forward Petr Hauser remains with Berani Zlin of Czechia2, and appeared with them in a game against Pirati Chomutov on the 14th. A game in the minor leagues was probably not the Valentine’s gift the young European was hoping for.
NCAA
- Aiden Park and Asher Barnett played Penn State University on the 13th and 14th. Barnett is currently on a two-game point streak, netting a goal in the first game and creating an assist in the second. The American rearguard is unlocking moderate offensive instincts as he ages up. In a bottom-six role, Park contributed an assist in the second game.
- Forward Dalyn Wakely is gaining momentum after a strong weekend against the University of Vermont on the 13th and 14th. The Canadian posted an assist in the first game, and then his 5th multi-point outing this season on the 14th with a goal and assist. The 200-foot forward looks for more consistency in his game generally.
OHL
- 2024 seventh-rounder William Nichol was busy with four games this past week. Across those four games, he posted two goals and an assist, as the high-motor two-way forward is the heartbeat of the London Knights’ offence.
WHL
- David Lewandowski is on a run right now after a strong week and is entering Wednesday on a 5-game point streak. The power forward is running the Saskatoon Blades’ offence, and with his unique combo of hard and soft skills, there’s no stopping the German.
- Lafreniere continues to shine in the WHL, with his two-hundred-foot game. He put up two goals across his three games this past week.
Russia
- 2004-born defender Nikita Yevseyev is on a roll, as the smooth-skating Russian is on a two-game point streak. He posted an assist in both his 6–2 loss to Avangard Omsk on the 13th, and in his club’s 3–0 shutout against Admiral Vladivostok on the 16th.
Forwards
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxim Beryozkin | RW | 53 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 0.43 | 12 | Yaroslavl Lokomitiv | KHL |
| Samuel Poulin | W/C | 47 | 13 | 19 | 32 | 0.68 | 24 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Connor Clattenburg | LW | 20 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0.15 | 88 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Jayden Grubbe | C/RW | 21 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 0.42 | 31 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Petr Hauser | RW | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.20 | 0 | Berani Zlin | Czechia2 |
| Quinn Hutson | RW/LW | 43 | 24 | 20 | 44 | 1.02 | 62 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Roby Järventie | LW/RW | 42 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 0.69 | 24 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Tommy Lafreniere | RW/C | 54 | 32 | 31 | 63 | 1.17 | 20 | Kamloops Blazers | WHL |
| David Lewandowski | LW | 46 | 15 | 37 | 52 | 1.13 | 36 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL |
| Viljami Marjala | LW/C | 48 | 13 | 28 | 41 | 0.85 | 14 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| William Nicholl | C/LW | 19 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 0.79 | 10 | London Knights | OHL |
| Aidan Park | C | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 0.50 | 26 | University of Michigan | NCAA |
| Matvei Petrov | LW/RW | 22 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.23 | 2 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Josh Samanski | C/LW | 39 | 7 | 21 | 28 | 0.72 | 36 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| James Stefan | RW/LW | 36 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 0.92 | 10 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Brady Stonehouse | RW/LW | 9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.33 | 21 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Dalyn Wakely | C | 30 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 0.60 | 22 | UMass-Lowell | NCAA |
Defence
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beau Akey | RD | 31 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 0.32 | 16 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Asher Barnett | LD | 30 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 0.50 | 10 | University of Michigan | NCAA |
| Bauer Berry | LD | 29 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 0.34 | 14 | University of St. Thomas | NCAA |
| Damien Carfagna | LD | 42 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 0.31 | 16 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Paul Fischer | LD | 26 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 0.69 | 39 | University of Notre Dame | NCAA |
| Albin Sundin | RD | 42 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 0.21 | 14 | Timra IK | SHL |
| Nikita Yevseyev | LD | 52 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 0.31 | 32 | Amur Khabarovsk | KHL |
Goaltenders
| Player | GP | GAA | SV% | Record | SO | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Day | 27 | 2.69 | .892 | 14-8-5 | 3 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Samuel Jonsson | 19 | 2.52 | .904 | 11-5-2 | 4 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Connor Ungar | 11 | 2.17 | ,933 | 9-2-0 | 1 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Daniel Salonen | 26 | 2.39 | .888 | 12-7-5 | 3 | Lukko | Liiga |
| Eemil Vinni | 17 | 2.99 | .884 | 8-5–4 | 1 | JoKP | Mestis |
