2026 Edmonton Oilers prospect ranking: Honourable mentions

The Edmonton Oilers championship window has them living firmly in the present, their prospect pool has naturally dwindled towards the bottom of the league. While the group does lack the true talent and depth that rebuilding teams boast, it is not without players with a chance to become full time NHLers.

To rank the Oilers top ten prospects was an interesting exercise. In particular, it is quite difficult to find much consensus, as there is little separation between the fifth and fifteenth best prospects on the list. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the prospects who feel just outside our list of the Oilers top ten prospects.

Ungar still has lots of potential

The Oilers have longed for solutions in net, which has put a microscope on many of the goaltending prospects in the system. The team has also stockpiled a number of options in net, clogging their most notable goaltending prospects from clear roles within the organization. This might have hurt Connor Ungar in this exercise, as the 24-year-old has yet to carry a starters workload in the AHL.

Still, Ungar is coming off of his best season. His doing so under less than ideal circumstances can be commended. All that considered he might be the biggest snub from this top ten list. An optimistic outlook is that Ungar is ready to be the full time starter in the AHL this upcoming season, and ready to thrive in the role.

For now the Oilers boast a strong three-headed tandem of Frederik Andersen, Devon Levi, and Tristan Jarry. As it stands, Ungar will only be a part of the Oilers lineup if multiple injuries occur. That said, there is a cumbersome nature to carrying three goalies on an NHL roster, and between trades or waivers this depth can evaporate quickly.

As much as Ungar is relatively unproven, he could quickly find himself vital to the Oilers plans. Though some might criticize his shorter resume and inconsistent performance, he does have a chance at putting his stake in the ground. There are, of course, younger goalies pushing up behind Ungar, namely Samuel Jonsson and Nathaniel Day, who might start to threaten his position on the depth chart.

The time is now for Ungar to assert himself. At the very least he is positioned to let his play do the talking this upcoming season. Ungar finally received his first AHL action, just 13 games, after being forced to play for two different ECHL teams not affiliated with the Oilers. It seems odd how much Ungar has been kept at arm’s length by the Oilers, as his numbers have been consistently strong.

Barnett showing progression

A fifth-round pick in 2025, Asher Barnett will play his sophomore season at the University of Michigan this season. After two seasons with the USNTDP, Barnett’s stock rose drastically this past season. Playing for the strong NCAA program, Barnett took on a huge role as a freshman. He led the team’s defencemen in goals, and was second among defencemen in points.

As the season progressed Barnett began to rise up the depth chart. Though he entered last season without much fanfare, the surge up the lineup might soon make him a more widely regarded prospect. The Oilers might well have unearthed a late round gem, though there is still a long way for Barnett to go before NHL consideration is warranted.

Barnett will be able to raise his profile even more with another strong season. A spot on team USA for the U20 World Junior Championship is not out of the question. Between a high profile international appearance and another strong season for the Michigan Wolverines, Barnett would undoubtedly find himself ranked much higher within the Oilers prospect rankings.

There might be shades of new Oiler Ryan Shea within Barnett’s game. He is effective in transition on both sides of the puck. He was a key defensive option for the Wolverines, and saw real growth in his offensive game. It would be bold to project Barnett as a power play option at the NHL level, but he does seem able to help his team drive offence. This recent progression might be the only thing keeping him out of our top ten prospects, as consensus lags behind something of a breakout performance.

Newcomer Berzkalns grabbing attention

A second-round pick in the 2026 draft, Rudolfs Berzkalns has a lot of projectable NHL traits. His size and skating ability provide a solid foundation to work from, but there is more to his game than that.

Berzkalns excels in tight spaces and contested ice on both sides of the puck. He is responsible defensively, but also has the physical prowess to get to his spots and win battles. This helps on the offensive end as well, as Berzkalns can maintain control through pressure and make smart plays with the puck. His best work comes along the boards, under the hash marks, and at the net front.

The offensive production is a bit underwhelming, but the process is there. With added skills his offensive game can improve, but it is encouraging that his production comes from an NHL style of play. In other words, though he might not produce gaudy totals, Berzkalns’ offence should translate well to higher levels.

While he does not project as a zone entry specialist, Berzkalns is fast enough to support his team’s transition game. He can stretch the zone, drive the net, and help create space for his linemates. He projects as a centre, which is useful in its own right.

The upside here is a responsible middle-six centre. Berzkalns is not likely to be a play driver at the NHL level, but should help limit chances. With an expanded offensive tool kit he could be able to support puck dominant offensive wingers.

Still, there is a long way to go for Berzkalns. He will look to hone his game at Boston College, but his trajectory is already promising. He got better as the season went along and was impactful in big games. Josh Samanski might be a reasonable comparison. Berzkalns has a fairly high floor as a prospect, and should earn more recognition in the coming years.