Welcome back to The Oil Rig Edmonton Oilers Prospect Rankings for the 2026 season. In this entry, we profile AHL forward Viljami Marjala.
| Position | Year Drafted | Highest Ranking | Lowest Ranking | 2025 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 2021 |
A fifth-round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 draft, Marjala is a playmaking centre. Turning 24 this January, the time for Marjala to get a look in the NHL might be upon us.
Marjala’s development
| Season | Team | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | TPS Turku | 17 | 23 | 40 |
| 2024-25 | TPS Turku | 8 | 44 | 52 |
| 2025-26 | Bakersfield Condors | 17 | 43 | 60 |
After being drafted out of the QMJHL, Marjala had a disappointing follow up season in the same league. Marjala would return to Finland, where he was an immediate impact. After three strong seasons in Liiga, Marjala made the jump to the AHL last season. Once again Marjala was able to hit the ground running in a higher league.
Marjala is clearly a pass first centre, as is evidenced by his point totals. That being said, his 17 AHL goals last season are impressive. He was amongst the likes of Isaac Howard, Quinn Hutson, and AHL star Seth Griffith as the key offensive options for the Condors last season. On its own that is notable, but doing so as a centre is where Marjala might have a different path towards an NHL audition.
Marjala’s strengths and weaknesses
Marjala is capable with the puck, but shines especially as a playmaker. He has vision and anticipation, and is often able to open seams with patience as well. He will need to bring some offence to an NHL lineup to have much staying power.
There are some defensive traits. Marjala’s hockey sense pays off, as does his stick. This is evidenced by a role on the penalty kill as an AHL rookie last season, as well as some ability as a transition defender. He will have to find a way to be better in physical battles if he wants to stay at centre in an NHL lineup.
These defensive traits might make him more viable as an NHL player. Especially if Marjala is not physically imposing enough to hold down a full time centre spot, the ability to kill penalties and defend transition gives him value as a winger.
The future ahead of Marjala
Given his age and his proficiency in the AHL, Marjala is firmly in range of an NHL debut in the near future. While it is highly unlikely he is able to earn a spot out of training camp, Marjala will have a chance to impress Mike Babcock and the Oilers new coaching staff. Attention to detail and defensive posture will be vital for Marjala. A big area to watch will be his usage on the penalty kill throughout the preseason. If circumstances align, Marjala could be positioned for a mid season call up.
There might not be much runway for Marjala. His contract expires after this season, and there is absolutely no guarantee that he remains an Oiler beyond that. Proving last season’s production was no fluke, much less improving upon it, would certainly earn him some attention around the league. That said he could be an interesting flavour in an NHL bottom-six as a playmaker who can be trusted defensively.
Marjala will be in a battle with Isaac Howard and Lane Hutson as AHLers with some offensive upside. Pedigree certainly goes to Howard, and likely Marjala has the least individual offence of the group. However, it is certainly possible to see how Marjala’s playmaking might help unlock offence from players in the bottom-six. Trent Frederic, Jason Dickinson, and Josh Samanski might really benefit from Marjala’s skillset.
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