2025 Edmonton Oilers prospects rankings: #9 Josh Samanski

Most of the writers at the Oil Rig had Samanski in the #8 to #10 spot. Samanski was only left off of one ballot entirely.

Samanski’s development so far

Growing up in Germany, Samanski played for the TSV Erding youth program. During the 2015–16 season he made the jump to Mannheim’s U16/U19 squad until the end of the 2017–18 season.

From there, the young forward made the jump to North American Junior hockey playing with the OJHL’s Brantford 99’s during the 2018–19 season. After modest success with 25 points across 54 games, Samanski then jumped to the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack where he played the shortened 2019–20 season.

After the pandemic hit, the big German headed back to the DEL2/DEL where he played for Ravensburg Towerstars, EV Landshut, and most prominently the Straubing Tigers. Samanski has totalled 93 points across 193 DEL games equating to around four seasons.

The Oiler’s signee is also no stranger to international hockey, representing Germany U16, U20, World Championships, and various other international competitions.

Samanski has shown progress in his game these past couple of season, which hints at the forward being a classic late bloomer. This past season he finished 24th in DEL scoring, but was the highest scoring 23 or younger player in the league.

Samanski ‘s strengths and weaknesses

Samanski plays the game of a two-way forward with a physical edge. The German’s game is highlighted by solid physicality, decent enough senses, and capable skating.

This past season was one of significant growth for Samanski, and playing in a consistent top six role with 18:22 TOI per game certainly helps him develop his all around game.

Physicality

Samanski is no short of a wrecking ball on the ice, and with his 6’3” frame he can be. He shows higher end muscle mass, hit absorption, and this allows for the DEL product to establish some good in-tight sequences and body positioning.

Statistically Samanski doesn’t implement many hits, with only a 0.48 hits per game, but when he does he shows good effectiveness, timing, and physical pressure/play disruption. He’s a physical presence that often ties up, and boxes opponents out with relatively no issues.

Expect for him to bring this physical game over to North America.

Senses

This past season saw growth offensively and defensively for the young German. The Straubing Tiger alumni shows fairly frequent scans, flashes of offensive and defensive instincts, and a consistent on-ice awareness no matter where he is on the ice.

These instincts and awareness allowed for him to generate a 0.32 goals expected for rate for this past season. He shows flashes of hockey IQ through some decent play anticipation, play reading, and lane awareness but positioning can be more effective on the offensive side of the puck.

Defensively this awareness allowed Samanski to have a 1.11 chances saved rate per game, which is quite noticeable. He maintains a defensively responsible game with good angles of attack, a dcent active stick, and a calm and collected nature.

Samanski was also a double special teams threat this past season with 2:28 of power play time per game, and 1:16 of penalty kill time per game. The former Owen Sound Attack forward could be a potential special teams option at the AHL level.

Skating

It should be noted that Samanski’s skating is not so much an asset as it does not detract from his game. For his 6’3” frame Samanski is a decent enough skater in terms of stride, mobility, acceleration, and edgework. Samanski shows decent enough agility to make him a capable asset on the rush.

The main issue that Samanski displays in transition is his extension and power generation. He simply just needs a cleaner stride recovery, which would then also increase the fluidity of his overall top speed. Growth in these areas will also help his route creation and deception (cutbacks, and lane manipulation).

Weaknesses

Samanski shows some limitations in terms of his puck skills and overall compete level, that will pose some barriers on the young German’s track to the NHL.

Puck skills

Samanski shows some limitations in terms of effective puck handling/control, puck management/placement, and decision making. These are all factors that can be worked on without many barriers. Something like his vision might be a bit more limited in terms of growth.

Samanski’s handling/control issues blend with his decision making, this is best exemplified by the German’s 1.62 dekes per game, but only a 69% success rate. limitations in terms of puck skills can also help explain his limited chance generation at only 0.82 per game.

This is especially prominent when the forward has 109 puck touches per game, this puck management is crucial to a players overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Compete level

In terms of compete level Samanski looks quite average in terms of play engagement, motor, and intensity. There are some inconsistencies shift-shift for the young German as he shows some tendencies of cheating plays too early, limited offensive pressure generation.

Overall this limits both his defensive and offensive effectiveness.

Samanski’s next steps

After signing an ELC with Edmonton earlier this year, Samanski is once again making the jump to North American hockey. Samanski should provide some competition for an NHL roster spot this year, but ultimately expect the young German to don a Bakersfield Condors jersey this upcoming season.

If things go incredibly well for the German, or there are a string of injuries, it would not be far fetched to say that Samanski could appear in some NHL games with the Oilers as soon as the 2025–26 season. Barring the extremes, the 2025–26 seasons should be one of adjustment and growth for Samanski.

NHL ETA: one to two years ears

Potential projection: Ceiling bottom-six forward, with the floor of a thirteenth forward