Via sportslogos.net

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Welcome to the September 2024 edition of the DobberProspects 32-in-32 Series. This month, we explore each organization in depth, examining its recent graduates, risers, fallers, and top-20 prospects. 

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By: Jameson Ewasiuk

Three months after their heartbreaking loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers enter the 2024-25 season as one of the Stanley Cup favorites. They have deepened their forward group with proven scorers and moved on from a couple of their less consistent defensemen from last season. Prospects will have a tough time cracking this roster, but a door could open because some of their veterans are on the decline and are currently slotted into Edmonton’s third and fourth lines.

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Graduating Players

Two players (Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg) would have been on the graduating list, but both signed offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues. As the oldest team in the NHL, losing your top two young players is far from ideal.

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From Minors to the NHL

With the departure of Dylan Holloway to the St. Louis Blues via an offer sheet this summer, there is theoretically a spot up for grabs on the Oilers forward group in a top-nine role. Based on what we saw last season from Corey Perry and Derek Ryan, these are not two players you want in your lineup every night at this point in their careers, so there are potential opportunities for young players as well. Evander Kane could also find himself on injured reserve to start the 2024-25 season. Let us dive into the candidates that could potentially fill these spots.

Matthew Savoie, C, came over in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres this summer in exchange for Ryan McLeod and prospect Tyler Tullio. Savoie instantly became Edmonton’s top prospect and a player with true top-six potential in the NHL. At 5-9, his size is a concern, but the talent is undeniable. The talented forward had 71 points in 34 WHL games last season and five points in six AHL games.

Roby Jarventie, LW, was acquired via trade with the Ottawa Senators for struggling prospect Xavier Bourgault and depth prospect Jake Chiasson. At this point in their pro careers, Jarventie is the better producer at the pro level but has struggled with injuries.

Raphael Lavoie, RW, has become a bit of an afterthought in the Oilers system, but at 24 years old, he is still one of the team’s top forward prospects and one of the only prospects in the system that has proven that they can produce in the AHL (28 goals in 2023-24). Lavoie played seven games with the Oilers last season and showed some solid polish to his game, but he often played under five minutes per game.

Ty Emberson, RD, played 30 games for the San Jose Sharks last season and did not look out of place. Now, on the Oilers, a team that recently lost Broberg, Ceci, and Desharnais, there is a real opportunity to establish himself as a reliable, defensively consistent defender in the NHL.

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From Junior/College to Pro

Matthew Savoie, C, can also be added to this category.

James Stefan, RW, was a free agent signing by the Oilers in March. He wrapped up his WHL career by finishing ninth in the league in points (101) and fourth in goals (50) last season. Edmonton’s prospect pool lacks offensive players, and time will tell how much of his offensive upside will translate to the pro level.

Connor Ungar, G, is an intriguing goalie prospect for Edmonton. In his final season in the WHL (2022-23), he recorded a 0.925 save percentage. He played for Brock University during the 2023-24 season, recording a .932 save percentage. The numbers are encouraging, and Ungar could potentially be a dark horse in Edmonton’s system.

Brady Stonehouse, RW/LW, saw a statistical regression in the OHL last season. He recorded 20 goals and 44 points in 2023-24 compared to 37 goals and 57 points in 2022-23. At this point, the ECHL seems like the most likely destination for Stonehouse to start his pro career.

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Risers

Olivier Rodrigue, G, took a bit to settle into the pro game but now finds himself third on the Oilers depth chart behind Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. He had been trending upwards two seasons in a row and will look to build on the 0.916 save percentage that he recorded for the Condors in 2023-24.

Noah Philp, C, went from a promising AHL rookie in 2022-2023 to taking a year off hockey last season. Now 25 years old, he’s a riser in the system as a player who looked close to NHL-ready two years ago. If he can regain where he left off, Philp will be a player to watch this season.

Maximus Wanner, RD, had a solid rookie showing in the AHL last season. He oozes raw tools and has already shown he can be defensively responsible at the pro level. Edmonton’s defensive prospect pool is very shallow, and at this point, he should be considered one of the top defensemen in their system.

Shane Lachance, LW, took a big step forward last season as he recorded 27 points in 40 games for Boston University as an NCAA rookie. The 21-year-old, 6-5 winger is slated to be the captain of Boston this season, and it is not unreasonable to think that he continues his upward trajectory and comes close to being a point-per-game forward for his team.

Maxim Beryozkin, RW, is the last riser here, but certainly not the least. The Russian forward put up an impressive 30 points in 68 games in the KHL last season and already has four points in the first four games this season. Expect the hype to build on this player this season.

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Fallers

Matvei Petrov, RW/LW, had a lot of attention around him after recording at least 90 points in his final two seasons in the OHL. To say that his rookie season in the AHL was underwhelming would be an understatement, as the young winger recorded just 14 points in 53 games for the Bakersfield Condors. He needs to take a big step forward in 2024-25.

Luca Munzenberger, LD, has played three seasons in the NCAA and has recorded just one goal and 11 points in 92 games. He will never be known for his offense, but it would still be nice to see some progression in this regard at some point.

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Organizational Depth Chart 

(Combination of NHL readiness and upside)

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Top 20 Fantasy Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Edmonton Oilers prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive impact fantasy-wise in the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been considered; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Matthew Savoie
2. Beau Akey
3. Sam O’Reilly
4. Roby Jarventie
5. Raphael Lavoie
6. Maxim Beryozkin
7. Ty Emberson
8. Olivier Rodrigue
9. Maximus Wanner
10. Noah Philp
11. Eemil Vinni
12. Matvei Petrov
13. Phil Kemp
14. James Stefan
15. Shane Lachance
16. Nikita Yevseyev
17. Dalyn Wakely
18. Matt Copponi
19. Connor Ungar
20. Noel Hoefenmayer

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2024 Young Stars Classic

The Oilers participated in the 2024 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia, from September 13 to 16, 2024. The event was live-streamed for anyone eager to see some of the above prospects in action!

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Thanks for reading! Follow me on X @jamesonewasiuk for Oilers prospect updates all year long.