Undrafted NCAA prospects the Edmonton Oilers could target

With March almost ending, so too are many NCAA seasons. The Edmonton Oilers were extremely active last season when it came to signing free agent prospects, so it would not be a shock to see them be engaged in the NCAA free agent market once again.

With the likes of Quinn Hutson emerging as a legitimate NHL prospect, and top tier AHLer, who are some of the top undrafted free agents that Edmonton could sign this year?

Let’s take a look!

T.J. Hughes, Forward, University of Michigan

T.J. Hughes has been a prize for NHL teams over the past couple of years, but decided to return to Michigan for this past campaign. The NCAA All-Star and Hobey Baker finalist this season is a pure goal-scorer and holds the most career points of any current NCAA player.

The 2001-born Hughes has a career 1.13 PPG in the NCAA, and is even a former AJHL top forward and champion, so performing is in his DNA.

Hughes is an offensive-minded playmaker/sniper, defined by strong hockey sense, good give-and-go passing, and quality shooting. Sure, he will need to improve his skating and handling abilities to be more complicated and NHL-level, but every NCAA undrafted free agent is going to have a downside.

The Michigan captain is ready for pro hockey, and whichever team signs him should give him a bit of a runway to see just how high his ceiling could be.

Christian Fitzgerald, Forward, Colgate University

Christian Fitzgerald does bits of everything right and can handle any situation thrown at him. He plays the game of a responsible two-way forward who mostly stands out for his skating, high compete level, and physicality. He likely projects as a pro-level defensive checking forward.

This is the exact type of player the Oilers have been looking for in their bottom-six, judging by the trials of Connor Clattenburg, Josh Samanski, and the recently acquired Colton Dach. Fitzgerald has some moderate offensive upside and can support offensive plays adequately, but don’t expect him to light up the scoresheet.

Across his four seasons in the NCAA, his 0.67 PPG is admirable. Fitzgerald’s offensive efforts are primarily from his relentless pace, solid play support, and good timing, which is somewhat more transferable to the pro ranks than the north-south scoring ability you see in some snipers at the NCAA level.

Whether it’s at the AHL or NHL level, the Coquitlam, BC product should find moderate success as a defensively responsible, hard-working, honest player.

His motor, engagement, quick skating, and elements of deceptively smart physicality likely project him as an NHL bottom-six forward, but that’s not too bad for a free addition.

C.J. Foley, Defence, Dartmouth College

The slightly undersized 5’11 defender is one of the best two-way college defenders to go undrafted in recent memory. C.J. Foley is only entering his fourth season in the NCAA, so there’s a good chance he signs with no one this season; but make no mistake, Foley is an intelligent handler, play-creator, and shooter.

The 2004-born Foley just finished a slightly down junior season at Dartmouth, but many other defenders would consider a 22-point season a great success. Even with the down season, the American defender is the most NHL-ready defenceman in this 2025–26 free-agency period.

With Foley, Oilers fans could expect a bit of a mini-Evan Bouchard in the way that he drives play, is sneaky with the puck, and has killer offensive play reads while equally being a quiet but effective defensive presence.

The main drawbacks for the young defender are his slightly below-average skating/mobility and less effective physicality. Skating Foley can improve as he ages, but his physical engagement, habits, and frame not so much.

Foley is a dynamic two-way defender with high-end puck skills, intelligent hockey sense, and good shooting habits. It just remains to be seen if a team takes a chance on him. If a team does take a chance on Foley, he likely projects as a secondary play facilitator and an NHL-quality third-pairing defender.

Alexander Tracy, Goaltender, Minnesota State (Mankato)

The Oilers have proven in past signings that they are no strangers to unconventional routes to acquire a goaltender. Alexander Tracy is another one of those, and although the Oilers pipeline of goaltenders is quite full right now, Connor Ingram, Calvin Pickard, and Connor Ungar expire at the end of this season.

Tracy has been one of the most consistent goaltenders for the past three seasons at Minnesota State. With a career .926 save percentage and 2.12 GAA, he looks poised to make the jump to professional hockey.

The Chicago, Illinois, product is one of the best graduating seniors at his position.

Tracy’s game is that of a hybrid goaltender, best defined by his hockey sense, advanced play tracking, solid positioning, and decent-enough athleticism in net. The soon-to-be 25-year-old could see some NHL action as an injury replacement, but likely projects as an AHL starter at least for next season.

With goaltending, the Oilers have a “throw everything at the wall and hope one sticks” mentality, so signing a player like Tracy would be another entry into that tradition.

What this means for the Oilers organization

With few draft picks for the next couple of years, the Oilers have to rely on either undrafted college free agents or older European players. Expect Stan Bowman and company to be busy the next week or so, as both European regular seasons wrap up, and NCAA competition comes to an end.