Oilers 2026 prospect countdown #20: Owen Michaels

In my opinion, Michaels is a very simple player: there isn’t one single trait that “wows” me, but the right-shot centre thinks the game very well, and I find him to be an excellent defensive player. Simple isn’t meant to be a negative point, if there is a passing lane that is open, Michaels will make that pass. Now, he might not create the passing lane or deceive the opponent to slip a pass through, but he gets the job done. Below is an example of Michaels fighting to maintain possession and finding a teammate in front for a great chance.

It’s not a fancy play by any means, but the ability to just keep the play going and find the open man in front (which was an excellent backhand pass) leads to a high-danger chance in front. The next video is another great example of playing simple and sticking to the fundamentals to get good results.

Michaels does an excellent job of drawing the defender in after taking all the available space up top, but it’s just an easy drop pass to fellow Oilers prospect Zack Sharp, and they have a grade-A scoring chance. The Western Michigan alum plays off of his linemates for the better or for worse. Michaels has a great knack for being in the right place at the right time, but when it happens often, it becomes a skill. Below are two clips that show the patience and ability to find quiet parts on the ice.

Amid all the chaos going on in the clips, the two-way centre is able to follow up the play and get himself open. Both clips are quick but show two different ways to find some quiet ice in the offensive zone. In the first video above it shows a good ability to fill in the space created by his teammates. Meanwhile, in the second clip, Michaels backs off ever so slightly to get a bit more open and give himself a better shooting angle. The final clip on his ability to find soft parts of the ice is on full display as Michaels is trusted with the bumper spot on the power play, the captain gets a great chance off of his one-timer attempt.

The finishing ability is a concern for me, there are too many pucks hitting the chest of goalies or just missing the net. However finding the right spots on the ice is half the battle and usually the tougher ability to harness. Michaels takes a lot of big draws, plays a fair amount of penalty killing minutes, and is usually on the ice defending a lead. I don’t have a solid clip of his defensive work, but the one below is a good one to use.

I like this particular video due to the fact that the hard-working forward pays attention to detail on the backcheck. Every centre knows he can’t get beat by his opposing centre up the ice or bad things could happen. Michaels make sure this doesn’t happen and is able to work ahead of check.

I have come to enjoy the finer details of Owen Michaels game, however due to age and no outstanding physical traits I have him a bit lower on my list. There could come a day where Michaels is a fine fourth-line player, but I think he could struggle with the pace of the game, and at 24 there isn’t much more development coming. But I always love to take a bet on the brain of a player, and the Western Michigan captain has a solid one on him.

I have come to enjoy the finer details of Michaels‘ game. However, due to age and no outstanding physical traits I have him a bit lower on my list. There could come a day where Michaels is a fine fourth-line player, but I think he could struggle with the pace of the game, and at 24 there isn’t much more development coming. But I always love to take a bet on the brain of a player, and the Western Michigan captain has a solid one on him.

Owen Michaels’ 2026-27 projection and NHL timelines

For the former Western Michigan pivot I project him to play a bottom-six role for the Condors to start the season. I could also see him getting some penalty killing minutes and being a reliable defensive zone player for Bakersfield. Michaels reminds me of Derek Ryan in the way he plays/thinks the game as well as his projected timeline. If he can continue to improve his physical traits, I could see the American centre making an NHL debut in his late twenties.

Top 20 Oilers prospects for 2026-27