Edmonton Oilers' Prospect Pool Set to Suffer Big Blow as Four Young Players Will Leave the Team

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 12:56 PM ET

The signing deadline for prospects graduating from NCAA programs after four years is August 15th, so the Oilers are at risk of losing four of their players.

NHL teams that pay much attention to college players also now have a signing deadline for these players since ones who reach four years of eligibility must be signed by August 15th, or they end up being unrestricted free agents.

In 2025, it will be that anyone who graduates this year will be potentially walking if they end up unsigned by that time.

The deadline also weighs more this season since it's the last batch of players who were awarded an extra year of eligibility for their 2020-21 season due to COVID.

Graduate students who also failed to make Pro when they first entered college might also be due to be free agents 30 days after notice is given to the NHL Central Registry.

Defensemen Michael Koster (TOR) and Jake Boltmann (CGY) both entered the UFA lists this offseason, and both became UFAs.

Edmonton needs to sign four players quickly before losing them as UFAs

NHL teams face losing rights to many talented players. One of the teams that will potentially see some players go come August is the Edmonton Oilers.

They retain rights to four college players who all enter their fourth or fifth year playing for the NCAA and will become UFAs if they don't re-sign them by August 15th, 2025.

These players are Matt Copponi, Joel Maatta, Tomas Mazura, and Luca Munzenberger. Until Edmonton renews them with contracts or they delay filings for graduations, all four would be free to sign with other teams this summer.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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