The Edmonton Oilers have proved that they are legit contenders once again this year with a 7–1–1 record. In the system both the Oilers AHL and ECHL affiliates have officially started their seasons, and these teams are polar opposites of each other. The Bakersfield Condors has struggled with inconsistency, but the Fort Wayne Komets looked good in their season opener.
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 to go along with a feature one one standout prospect in Edmonton’s system. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games, and is born 2002 or earlier.
Dalyn Wakely, Forward, UMass-Lowell, NCAA
His season so far
The sophmore forward entered this season as a potential breakout candidate, and so far he has achieved that. The OHL alum, was largely a middle-six forward last season where he averaged 15:36 TOI, and was primarily used as a checking forward. Much like how Wakely was a late bloomer in the OHL, he needed some time to adjust to the NCAA as well, and it is paying off.
Across the 2026–27 campaign UMass-Lowell has been experimenting with its power play units, and 5v5 lines, much to the benefit of Wakely. This season Wakely is undoubtably a top-six forward where he averages 17:03 TOI, with 3:07 of it coming on the man advantage. The usage is also different as the Ontario product is starting 55% of all 20 shifts in the offensive zone.
For Wakely opportunity is greater this year, his usage is more defined, and this is translating to more chances to convert.
His season by the stats
Wakely is experimenting with his game a bit more this season, which elevates his entire skillset. Additionally if there is ever a time to experiment with your playing style it’s during college, and not the professional ranks.
Physicality wise Wakely is still refining his effectiveness but averages 1.6 hits per game, and receives 0.6 hits against. This pairs up with a 11 puck battles per game rate that does have a lower 44% success rate. The NCAA forward also is not blocking as many shots as ususal, at a 0.6 per game rate, but the season is still early.
Puck skills show the most growth, as Wakely is becoming more of a distributor, handling a NCAA career high of 82 puck touches per game, while dishing out 18 passes, and having an on-par 83% accuracy which is around career average for him. Of his puck touches he leads 2.4 breakouts a game, and secures 4.8 offensive zone entries in a match for UMass-Lowell.
His stick, motor, and play engagement remain as high as ever with a regular 1.2 scoring chances saved per game.
Offensively Wakely is elevating his game, even if the stats do not particularly show it. The two-way forward is creating 2.4 high danger scoring chances a game, and despite having a very low 8% conversion rate, Wakely still has a 0.31 goals expected rate. Part of this may be due to his 4.4 shots per game having a lower 64% accuracy rate.
One stat that demonstrates his overall effectiveness in all three zones is his Corsi for percentage sitting at an impressive 61%.
Areas of improvement from last season
Wakely simply does not look as nervous on the ice as he did last campaign, and this is a huge step forward for his development at the NCAA level. Early in his season he has done a good job dictating the pace of play and forcing his opponents to adjust to him, and not the other way around.
The Canadian’s skillset is still largely defined by his high end compete level (heavy defensive/physical pressure, play engagement, motor, and play disruption), along with his acute hockey sense (defensive instincts, play processing, and lane awareness), and elements of physicality (grit, hit frequency, and stability/balance).
Early into this campaign, Wakely’s willingness to take chances has also increased, leading to more advanced playmaking attempts, clearer vision with the puck, and further development in his offensive instincts. Where the Ontario born player has typically been known as a shut down forward, he is also elevating his creation game and its paying off with growth in his puck skills.
Skating still remains the biggest hurdle for the 22-yeard old, as his grindy stride, lugging stride recovery, and low top speed/lateral acceleration has the ability to reduce his threat level in his quick dish offensive transition, while also reducing his overall effectiveness on an otherwise suffocating forecheck/backcheck.
Edmonton Oilers prospect updates
AHL
- The Condors only played a single game this past week, a 4–3 loss to the Calgary Wranglers. This makes Bakersfield 1–2–0 in their season series with Calgary so far in the 2026–2027 campaign.
- With the Condors loss this past week it pushes their overall record to 2–3–0, which is good for 9th in the AHL’s Pacific division, and 26th in the overall league.
- 25-year-old forward and new Oilers signee, Aku Raty, is making the most of his opportunity in Bakersfield with five points across 5 games, only behind Quinn Hutson in team scoring.
- Speaking of Quinn Hutson the Oilers prospect is tied for 7th most goals in the AHL right now, and is poised to continue his hot run from last season. Defender Damien Carfagna is also finding his groove as a consistent TWD, and on the scoresheet with four points in five outings.
- Forwards Josh Samanski, and James Stefan were reassigned to the Condors on the 17th.
ECHL
- Fort Wayne has officially opened their season with a 6–3 win against the Toledo Walleye.
- Fort Wayne will be home to four Oilers prospects this season, goaltenders, Samuel Jonsson, Nathaniel Day, and Emill Vinni. Forward Brady Stonehouse is the only Oilers affiliated skater that was on the clubs opening day roster.
- Both Samuel Jonsson, and Emill Vinni were plucked from their European clubs prematurely in their development, just to be assigned to the ECHL, it will be interesting to see if either of them get extended AHL looks, especially if goaltender Connor Ungar continues his slow start in Bakersfield.
Europe
- Goaltending prospect, Daniel Salonen has built up some solid momentum, as the 20-year-old has a stellar GAA of only 1.75, in 12 appearances. Salonen appeared in two games this past week, only allowed three goals on a combined 41 shots, and walked away with a 3–1 win against Kiekko-Espoo on the 17th, and a 3–2 SOW against HIFK on the 20th.
- Jarventie’s streaky play continues as the sniper appeared in two games since last prospect update, and in a October 17th matchup against Genève-Servette HC, he netted a goal and two assists, while in his October 20th game against HC Fribourg-Gottéron he was silent. With his speed, offensive instincts, and shooting the Finn has shown he can be dominant or invisible.
NCAA
- Asher Barnett has found the goal scorers sheet this season. In his second game against the University of Denver, Barnett buried the 4–3 game winner for Michigan on the 17th. Park did not suit up this past week. Michigan is now 6–0–0 to start their 2026–2027 campaign.
- Oilers prospect defender, Zack Sharp, had the best game of his young season on the 17th, as the transitional defender netted two assists in a 4–0 win over Notre Dame on the 17th. Sharps mobility and puck skills are particularly improving as the NCAA defender continues his junior season.
- NCAA sophmore, Daylyn Wakely has unlocked another element to his offensive game at the NCAA level, as the 22-year-old has started his season with a 4-game point streak. The usual gritty two-way forward picked up his first goal of his season in a October 17th game against ASU.
- The 2026 second-round forward, Rudolfs Berzkalns, is showing a nice blend of soft and hard skill this season. The 18-year-old USHL forward netted another assist in a game against the Youngstown Phantoms on the 17th. He is now on a three game point streak as well. Look for the young forward to be an ideal top-9 forward for the Oilers in the future.
WHL
- 2025 fourth rounder, David Lewandowski, continues to make the 2026–27 season a breakout year for him, as of writing the German sits tied for 8th most points in the WHL. The power-forward is showing clear aptitude in all three zones of play this year, and is also on a 7-game point streak after notching an assist in a 3–2 win against Moose Jaw on the 17th.
*Denotes Playoff Stats
Forwards
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Clattenburg | LW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.25 | 14 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Rudolf Berzkalns | C | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.57 | 17 | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL |
| Malcom Gastrin | RW | 13 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0.62 | 2 | MoDo U20 | U20 (SWE) |
| Quinn Hutson | RW/LW | 5 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1.20 | 6 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Roby Järventie | LW/RW | 13 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 1.38 | 8 | HC Ambri Piotta | NL |
| Tommy Lafreniere | RW/C | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.00 | 0 | Western Michigan University | NCAA |
| David Lewandowski | LW | 7 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 1.86 | 8 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL |
| Viljami Marjala | LW/C | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.60 | 14 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| William Nicholl | C/LW | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.40 | 2 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Aidan Park | C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | University of Michigan | NCAA |
| Caden Harvey | F | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 1.00 | 8 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL |
| Josh Samanski | C/LW | – | – | – | – | – | – | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| James Stefan | RW/LW | – | – | – | – | – | – | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Brady Stonehouse | RW/LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Dalyn Wakely | C | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1.50 | 12 | UMass-Lowell | NCAA |
Defence
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beau Akey | RD | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Asher Barnett | LD | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.33 | 6 | University of Michigan | NCAA |
| Bauer Berry | LD | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | University of St. Thomas | NCAA |
| Damien Carfagna | LD | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.80 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Paul Fischer | LD | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.25 | 4 | University of Notre Dame | NCAA |
| Zack Sharp | LD | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.75 | 2 | Western Michigan University | NCAA |
| Nikita Yevseyev | LD | 16 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.19 | 2 | Ak Bars Kazan | KHL |
| Tomas Cibulka | LD | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.20 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Andrew Robinson | LD | 8 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 1.13 | 6 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL |
Goaltenders
| Player | GP | GAA | SV% | Record | SO | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Day | 1 | 3.00 | .900 | 1-0-0 | 0 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Samuel Jonsson | – | – | – | – | – | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Connor Ungar | 2 | 4.08 | .881 | 1-1-0 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Daniel Salonen | 12 | 1.75 | .921 | 6–3-3 | 1 | Lukko | Liiga |
| Ryan Cameron | 7 | 2.99 | .891 | 4–3-0 | 0 | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL |
| Eemil Vinni | – | – | – | – | – | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
