Oilers 2026 Prospect Countdown No. 15: Damien Carfagna

The Ohio State University alum just played in his first professional season after three years in the NCAA (two years with Ohio State and one year with the University of New Hampshire) that saw him total 107 games with 15 goals and 50 points. In his final season, he scored seven goals and 28 points in 38 games. After his performance, the Edmonton Oilers signed him to a two-year entry-level contract.

The left-handed defenceman enjoyed a solid rookie year during the 2025–26 season. In a crowded and injured backend last year, Carfagna was able to suit up in 66 games, scoring seven goals and ending the year with 22 points. I don’t put much value in plus-minus; however, Carfagna led the Condors with a plus-18 as a rookie defenceman, and that’s not something you see happen a lot. The former Buckeye blueliner was used in every situation for Bakersfield last year. Whether it was penalty-killing or quarterbacking the power play, Carfagna was doing it all.

Damien Carfagna’s skating and transition play

I love a player that can skate. I mean, who doesn’t?

But I do value a player’s skating ability highly: if you aren’t a good skater, you have to be incredibly efficient with your puck touches, and that is hard to do for any player, especially a defenceman. Carfagna is extremely mobile and shows excellent mechanics. The six-foot tall defender gets his knees over his toes, has a good amount of lean at the hips, and has a strong first two steps.

Forwards or backwards, it doesn’t matter. The 185-pound defender is able to skate at a high-level. Carfagna can pull away from forecheckers, contain a tight gap, angle off puck carriers, and get involved in transition whenever he is able to.

His strong mobility is the base of his game, the straw that stirs the drink. It definitely helps the next area of strength I want to highlight: how active he is in transition and the offensive zone. Watch the clips below and we will talk about them after.

The Oilers appear to be targeting defencemen who can move the puck and get involved offensively. Carfagna is definitely of that mould.

The main thing I want to highlight of the three clips above is the hockey sense the Columbus native plays with. Getting involved in transition is a must these days to create offence, and Carfagna is exceptional at taking care of the puck in transition.

Whether its using some manipulation and his sneaky skill-set, or drawing a forechecker in to pass it off, it seems like the American defender makes the right play and is always in control. Carfagna doesn’t just use his mobility and mind offensively, but also gets busy defensively.

The third clip isn’t as much of a defensive clip as you would think, but I want to highlight Carfagna’s closeout speed and quickness on an opposing player. The Ohio native capitalizes on the turnover and the fallen man, jumps into the rush, drives the middle lane taking away a defender, and opens up the passing lane. It shows the thought processing of the young defender.

Carfagna’s skating ability is the reason he is annoying to opposing players. He is constantly on you and it doesn’t stop. There is an understanding that to get going offensively, you need to get the puck back first. A lot of defenders wait around closing up a passing lane instead of taking away a player’s time and space. In the NHL, if forwards get time and space, they will make a play more often than not.

David Lewandowski’s 2026-27 projection and NHL timelines

I thought Carfagna had an excellent rookie season last year, and it should give him a long leash in the top four for the Condors this season. Another thing to note is that Beau Akey’s best hockey came playing beside Carfagna, and I think having that comfortable, mobile, two-way presence was calming for a player like Akey.

The Condors plus-minus leader is playing for a contract this season, and if he can play at the level displayed above more consistently, I think he will earn himself a two-way NHL deal. I think Carfagna is great to have in the system. Even if he pans out as nothing more than a top pairing AHL guy, he’s a great fit for any young defenceman coming into the organization.

Of course, only being 185 pounds is tough for a defenceman, but I think by 2028, you might have a fine No. 6 or 7 defenceman that will take care of the puck in transition and be hard on players defensively.

Top 20 Oilers prospects for 2026-27