Edmonton Oilers prospects roundup: Many moves within Edmonton’s system

A few new faces in new places this week as recent signings and ends of playoff runs have produced lots of movement. Plenty of Edmonton Oilers prospects also remain in the hunt for their leagues championships. The organization also dipped into the European talent pool by signing German forward Josh Samanski.

It’s been a particularly busy week at the AHL and ECHL level. Lets take a look.

Welcome to the TOR Edmonton Oilers prospect update. Each week, we’ll take a dive into how the Oilers’ prospects have done in their respective leagues. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games, and is younger than 25 years of age.

Josh Samanski’s hockey career

Samanski comes to the Oilers organization out of the german DEL, (the Deutsche Eishockey Liga), and had an impressive season. For a league with the average age of 27.5, Samanski was one of the youngest players at 23 in the DEL’s scoring race.

Samanski is also no stranger to North American hockey, having played in the OJHL, and OHL’s most notably with the Owen Sound Attack during the 2019–20 season. Since that season he has found a home in the top German league with the Straubing Tigers.

This past season he posted 14 goals, and 26 assists good for 40 points in 52 games. He posted those 40 points with an average time on ice of 18:22, with 2:28 of that being power play, and 1:16 of that being on the penalty kill.

Samanski’s game reflects has solid physicality, senses, and capable enough skating.

Despite his 0.48 hits per game, he does have a favourable frame and reach mixed in with better than average muscle mass makes him an menace to play against. This can lead to momentum killing and allows him to thrive both on the back check and as a offensive bumper player.

Notable stability, which shows hints of quality pressure and hit absorption.

Senses for the full 200 feet of the rink are evident. In defensive play Samanski shows quality defensive instincts and awareness through some notable risk assessment, stick tie ups, lane awareness, and play anticipation. Particularly this awareness and anticipation was best exemplified by his 1.11 scoring chances prevented per game for his team.

On the offensive side of the game, he shows some upside and growth. Particularly around developing rush instincts, positioning, vision, and offensive poise. Samanski’s 0.82 scoring chances per game was a career high this past season.

Plus his power play time mixed in with the fact that he starts 58% of his shifts in the offensive zone, and has a 0.32 expected goals for should articulate just how much his hockey IQ, and offensive instincts are growing this past season.

Skating doesn’t detract from his game, for his 6’3” frame he skates well, has an okay stride, lateral acceleration, and edgework. Stride recovery seems a bit rigid, and power generation can be improved to further his top speed, but that’s something to leave to the power skating coaches.

Compete level looks around average in most regards: hustle, motor, and intensity, with some flashes of physical/defensive pressure exertion.

Areas of improvement include his puck skills in terms of pass ability, hit or miss pass placement, and deke ability. Overall he only has a 69% deke success rate, which shows room for improvement. Handling looks a bit inconsistent, but it’s something to monitor.

Oilers management think they have found a gem, and theres lots of things to point that direction. With that being said, only time will tell.

Would you be interested in a more detailed scouting profile on the Oilers newest acquisition?