Josh Samanski

August 2025 – Samanski was signed by the Oilers to an entry-level contract after going undrafted in all of his years of eligibility. The 6-3 centerman was one of the most powerful forces in the German DEL last year, scoring 14 goals and 40 points in 52 games. He led his team in scoring, too. On the international side, Samanski represented Germany, where he scored five points in seven World Championship games, making him Germany’s third most productive player ahead of NHLers like Lukas Riechel, Moritz Seider, and Tim Stutzle. Now, by no means is a seven-game sample going to prove Samanski is better than that trio, but it is some insight into how well he played on the international circuit. Samanski is expected to play in the AHL this coming year, but could be a sneaky candidate to earn a call-up to the NHL given his size, scoring ability, and defensive responsibility. James Connelly

April 2025 – The Edmonton Oilers signed Samanski to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season. Mark Henry