Edmonton Oilers Prospects Roundup: Underrated prospects in the system

It may not be Halloween yet, but the Edmonton Oilers’ fanbase had some scary close calls in their first three games of the season against the Vancouver Canucks. Less scary is the fact that almost every Oilers prospect, outside of some NCAA affiliated ones, have started their 2026–27 season. The Bakersfield Condors have also started their season, with a two-game split against Henderson.

With most players suiting up once again, let’s take a look at all the developments in the Oilers system this past week.

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 to go along with a feature one one standout prospect in Edmonton’s system. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games, and is born 2002 or earlier.

Underrated prospects heading into the 2026–27 Campaign

Asher Barnett, Defence, University of Michigan, NCAA

Reason for optimism: Barnett is shaping up to be a stable, confident, defence first blueliner. The American defender’s shutdown ability was stellar last season, so much so that it earned him a nod to team USA’s U20 WJC squad. His hockey sense, compete level, and physicality all look like areas set to grow this upcoming season.

Barnett has everything in him to be a solid late round steal in the future.

Reasons for caution: Oilers fans should not expect him to be a point generator, or offensive play driver. His play is not particularly flashy, but it does not have to be. Not every player can be a Cale Makar, and that is entirely fine. He also likely only slots in as a third pairing defender but for a 5th rounder that certainly isn’t too shabby.

Andrew Robinson, Defender, Windsor Spitfires, OHL

Reason for optimism: Robinson is another classic late round dark horse. The two-way transitional defender with quality mobility, good hockey sense, and a high effort level. There’s a lot to like with Robinson, and this early season preview shows he is finally getting what he lacked last season, opportunity. Across four games the Oakville product has amassed three multi-point games already.

Robinson could possibly be a stable puck mover in the future if he continues to build momentum like he has so far.

Reason for caution: Robinson has started the season hot, and its just a matter of if he can keep this momentum going for the entire campaign. Robinson is very much a foil for Barnett, in the sense that he brings the offensive play driving, but can lack defensive and physical details at times. How this playstyle adjusts to the NCAA next season remains to be seen.

Robinson also likely projects as a third pairing/seventh defender for the Oilers, so the ceiling is not insanely high, but good for a fifth rounder.

Zack Sharp, Defence, Western Michigan University, NCAA

Reason for optimism: Sharp was a recent aquisition from the San Jose Sharks in the Darnell Nurse trade. The American defender enters his junior season with WMU. The two-way transitional defender shines with clean skating, hockey IQ, and intensity. Sharp does everything that is asked of him, which builds trust from his coaches, improves his habits, and bodes well for his development.

Sharp projects as a possible seventh defender at the NHL level, and if his puck skills can improve, it’s likely he could find time as a third-pairing defender.

Reason for caution: the 2025 fourth rounder is one of the older prospects on this list at 21, and has been a slow adjuster to the NCAA level. This means if he can’t build momentum this season, Oilers fans could see his stock tank. Ultimately as an additional asset for the Oilers in the Nurse return, Sharp is a low-risk, high reward if he turns out to be an NHL calibre player in any means.

Edmonton Oilers prospect updates

AHL

• The Condors season has officially started, with a 4–3 loss to Henderson on the third, and a 3–1 rebound win the following day. The Condors are now headed to Calgary to play the Wranglers for a trio of games starting on the 9th.
• The Condors sit 1–1–0 on the season. With an injection of youth into their roster, it is quite possible that the AHL affiliate performs better than the Condors from last season.
• The Condors have sorted out their roster, and appear to be going with a Tomkins-Ungar-Vinni trio with Day and Jonsson both being assigned to the Fort Wayne Komets. Expect some goalie movement throughout the season, especially if Ungar or Vinni start to underperform in the AHL.
• Quinn Hutson is off to another hot start with two goals and an assist across the first pair of games. Connor Clattenburg is also building momentum as he netted a goal in the Condors season opener on the 3rd.
• Brady Stonehouse was the only forward prospect sent back to the ECHL’s Komets this season. Forward prospect, James Stefan started the 2026–27 campaign on the Condors IR.

ECHL

• The Fort Komets start their ECHL season on October 17.

Europe

• The Lukko workhorse, Daniel Salonen had a quieter schedule this past week, only appearing in one game. In that one game he secured a 3–0 shutout of Ässät on the 3rd, stopping all 24 shots he faced. This shutout could indicate the exact sort of momentum switch the 20-year-old goaltender needs this season.
• Roby Jarventie continues to prove he can play high end professional hockey. The sniper is tied for fourth in National League sccoring, even after a slow week where the Finn only posted a single assist across his two appearances.
• 2026 third rounder, Malcom Gastrin, was reassigned to MoDo’s U20 team this past week, after a brief stint in the Allsvenskan.

NCAA

• The University of Michigan opened their season with a pair of wins against Bowling Green (7–2) on the 2nd, and (4–3) on the 3rd. Aiden Park and Asher Barnett appeared in both games, with the defender Barnett even picking up an assist in the second game of his season.
• A mixed results weekend for USHL goaltender and Oilers 2026 seventh rounder, Ryan Cameron. The American stopped 34/36 shots enroute to a 5–2 win in his clubs October 2 outing against the Sioux City Musketeers, but only stopped 15/19 the following day in their rematch.
• 2026 second rounder Berzkalns is finally on the board with an assist in the second of two games against the Madison Capitols this past week. Look for the power forward to be an explosive presence both on the scoresheet and in the gritty areas of play this USHL season.

OHL

• The Windsor Spitfires might have just found their top pairing defenceman for the season with Andrew Robinson as the 2026 draftee is on a roll, with a pair of two point games in both of his outings this past week. Caden Harvey is also emerging as a reliable two-way presence for the club. Windsor is now 3–1-0 on the season after a 4–2 loss to Guelph on the 2nd, and a 4–1 win against Owen Sound on the 3rd.

WHL

• Forward prospect, David Lewandowski, appeared in one game this past week, a 4–2 loss to Red Deer on the 2nd, but still generated an assist. The power forward looks to be taking a step forward in all aspects of the game early into the 2026–2027 campaign.

*Denotes Playoff Stats

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