5 players to watch at this weekend’s Next Gen Showcase

It’s game day! Doesn’t that just feel amazing to say? The Edmonton Oilers are finally about to take the ice this evening. Well, the prospects anyways. The Edmonton Oilers’ prospects at rookie camp will be taking on the Calgary Flames prospects in a home-and-home tournament this weekend. One game tonight in Edmonton, one game Sunday in Calgary.

The Oilers announced their rookie camp roster earlier this week, featuring the prospects and camp invites that will be taking part in these two games.

Although the Oilers may not have the exciting prospect pool they once had, and a third of the rookie camp roster is camp invites anyways, there are still a few players that we need to keep our eyes on through these two games. There will be plenty of depth chart battles in this tournament and a chance for us to see some recent signings in an Oilers jersey for the first time.

Here are five prospects to keep an eye on in this weekend’s Next Gen Tourney!

1) Matthew Savoie

Topping this list is our number one ranked prospect in the Oilers organization, Matthew Savoie. Acquired in the 2024 offseason, the former ninth-overall pick back in 2022 had his first full professional season last year, spent mostly in the AHL. And his development was incredible.

As a rookie in the AHL, Savoie had 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games while becoming a major part of the Bakersfield Condors’ gameplan in all situations. He developed his defensive game enough to be trusted on the penalty kill, even to a point where Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch hinted at Savoie playing PK for Edmonton this season.

Savoie is expected to make the opening night roster, but his placement in the lineup will be determined by his performance in camp. If he is to solidify a spot next to Leon Draisaitl, he will need to show some of his scoring touch.

2) Isaac Howard

The most exciting move of the offseason was trading for scoring prospect Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fresh off of a Hobey Baker Award for being the best college hockey player in the USA, Howard very quickly became the second ranked prospect in the Oilers organization.

His skillset as an offence-first scorer should fit extremely well in the Oilers lineup. If he is paired with Connor McDavid, a trio with them and Zach Hyman seem to be, on paper, a very well-constructed line. They would have all the speed they’d need, scoring from all areas of the ice, and the right mix of aggressiveness, play-driving, and complimentary talent to thrive.

This is the first time we will get to see Howard don the Oilers sweater, and for that, he falls second on this list of players to watch this weekend.

3) Samuel Jonsson

Have the Oilers found a new top goalie prospect? A saviour in the crease who can finally solve the goaltending problem? It may be a reach, but Samuel Jonsson’s skyrocket up the prospect rankings last season puts him in this conversation.

Jonsson, a fifth-round draft pick back in 2022, had not been a high profile prospect in the first couple years following being drafted. But his standout performance in 2024–25, earning himself goalie-of-the-year honours in the Hockey Allsvenskan, quickly got him signed to an entry level contract and moved over to North America.

His destination for the season is yet to be determined. Jonsson is in a battle with other goalies at this camp, Nathaniel Day and Connor Ungar, for a place in the depth chart and playing time. If he does well, the starting job in Bakersfield will be his. If not, he may start in the ECHL.

4) Nathaniel Day

Another goalie in the battle for depth chart placement is Nathaniel Day. Originally a sixth-round draft pick back in 2023, Day had spent all of his time post draft playing with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. There, he had a respectable statline but most importantly, showed growth every season with improved stats.

After the last OHL season ended, Day signed his entry level contract and debuted with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL. In 140 minutes, Day allowed just one goal, a 0.43 goals against average and a .981 save percentage.

Much like Jonsson, Day is battling for placement in the organization’s depth chart. It will be an intriguing battle this weekend, that will also flow over into training camp, between these two for prime playing time in the minor leagues.

5) Viljami Marjala

Not much is yet known of Viljami Marjala, a Finnish prospect signed earlier in the spring. He had just finished an impressive season with TPS in the Liiga, recording eight goals and 52 points in 54 games, and tying for his team’s lead in scoring.

Marjala has always been a talented player. He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, who chose not to sign him. His development continued in Finland until he became one of the best playmakers in the Liiga last season.

His build and skillset indicate he will be more of a passer than finisher. But with two top centres capable of scoring over 50 goals apiece, maybe another talented passer on the wing is a suitable fit.

Marjala is a long shot to see NHL time in the near future, but the battle to be first up on the AHL call-up list will be tense. If he does well, and players on the NHL roster struggle to produce, there may be a chance for him to see some playing time.