Edmonton Oiler candidates to become 2025’s Fernando Pisani

Last year, I wrote about the players on the Edmonton Oilers who had the potential to be that year’s Fernando Pisani—a unheralded depth player who steps up to become a major contributor and factor in the playoffs.

There were two players who you could argue were deserving of the title last year in Connor Brown and Mattias Janmark. The third member of their line, Adam Henrique, also was a huge reason, but given he was the team’s major deadline acquisition, both Janmark and Brown’s performances stand out more in the unsung category.

Sure, they didn’t have high offensive numbers like Pisani did, but they were rocks on the penalty kill and really found their groove in the final two rounds; Brown put up three points in six games against Dallas and Janmark scored four points in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final, including the team’s only goal in Game 7 (I guess Cody Ceci transferred his Game 7 powers to him that night). That probably gives Janmark the win, but since I had Brown on my list I will give it to him instead, for totally unbiased reasons.

For this season, only two of the five candidates I chose from last year remain with the team in Brown and Henrique, and given their performances both last year and at the tail end of this season, they no longer quite fit the “vibe” of this trophy.

So who are the players that could? Here are my top five candidates.

Vasily Podkolzin

Normally, a guy who is pretty much stapled to the top-six next to Leon Draisaitl wouldn’t be eligible, but when he put up only eight goals and 24 points in that spot, then the expectations on production are low.

But there is a reason Vasily Podkolzin has been in that slot as much as he did. He had positive metrics across the board, he led the team in hits and has just overall been a good, hardworking grinder. Those factors all come into play when looking at someone who can potentially become a surprise contributor in the playoffs.

Jeff Skinner

If I had made this list at the beginning of the season, there is no way Jeff Skinner would have been on it. He was a major UFA signing and big things were expected of him.

Instead, he had one of the worst seasons of his career, scoring just 29 points in 72 games. He was a healthy scratch multiple times and was otherwise generally relegated to the bottom-six when he did play.

Granted, it seemed baffling that Skinner was getting this treatment. He looked to be playing fairly well all season, although a bit snake bitten, and the metrics supported that.

Down the stretch, Skinner saw more opportunity thanks to the swath of injuries the team incurred, and scored a fairly decent five points in the last 10 games of the season. It also looked like the Oilers had perhaps found a new first line with Skinner, Connor McDavid and Brown, although the first practice after the regular season saw Skinner back down the third line.

Regardless, taking Skinner’s history of being a goal scorer, the potential chemistry he showed with McDavid, and the fact that he is likely to have a hell of an adrenaline rush by playing in his first ever playoffs after 1078 regular season games, all point to a set of circumstances rife for a breakout performance.

Kasperi Kapanen

This is certainly a bit of a risky pick, as although he has been a regular in the lineup since being picked up by the Oilers on November 19, there is no certainty he will be regular come playoff time. This is due to players returning from injury such as Evander Kane and Trent Frederic, who likely will get priority given past history.

However, if Kapanen does slot in, there is some reason to believe he can be a factor.

Sure, his metrics aren’t the best and he appeared to fade down the stretch, but he has shown he has the ability to play up and down the lineup, and especially with McDavid. Also, he does have a decent history of production in the playoffs, with 13 points in 38 career games, including six points in his last 13 games his last two seasons with Pittsburgh.

Plus, having a guy from the fourth line that no one is really thinking of become a star is kinda what this whole award is all about, right?

Brett Kulak

Okay, normally this is an award for forwards, and especially not for a guy expected to be in the top-four on defence.

However, it’s not like Brett Kulak was expected to be in the top four. He is in that position thanks to injuries, especially to Mattias Ekholm. There is also Jake Walman, but it is looking like he will return.

Nonetheless, Kulak could qualify for this award given that he would be the least expected to produce big offensive numbers compared to Walman, Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse.

But Kulak is playing the best hockey of his career, averaging over 20 minutes a night and scored a career high seven goals and 25 points. Plus he showed an offensive touch in last year’s playoffs with eight points in 25 games, third best from the blueline and tied for 7th on the team overall.

So with the expected increased role and ice-time, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Kulak improve on those numbers even more.

Trent Frederic

Back to the forwards, deadline acquisition Trent Frederic has played just seven minutes in an Oilers uniform due to injury, and it isn’t even certain if he will in fact be ready for the playoffs.

But assuming he is, he would certainly have a chance to be a difference maker from the bottom-six.

While he only had 15 points in 58 games this year, the year prior he scored 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games, and 17 goals and 31 points in 79 games the year prior.

You know who else had two seasons of mid-teens goals and 30+ points prior to a big playoff performance? A guy who is such a big legend ABBA sang a song about him (I assume that is who they are talking about anyway).

He also put up five points in 13 playoff games last year, so there is some history to back up his ability in the post season as well.

That’s probably it in terms of candidates, to be honest, but if there is someone else you think has a better chance, let us know in the comments!