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Oilers Top 20 Prospects (20-11)

August 13, 2018, 12:14 PM ET [49 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


Hey everyone, apologies for the bit of hiatus over the last week. We are approaching September quickly and soon we will have real hockey to discuss once again. Once training camp starts all eyes are going to be on the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but a bevy of young prospects will also be present and give us a glimpse of what we can expect from their futures.

Here are the Oilers top 20 prospects, starting at the bottom. The second half will be up tomorrow!

#20 Dylan Wells - G
Last Season: OHL - Peterborough Petes - 56GP 20 Wins - .896 Sv%


Goalies are voodoo. Wells has been in the Oilers organization for the past two seasons and likely this year he will get his first taste of AHL hockey. As you will all see in a moment the Oilers have an abundance of young goalies in the system... hopefully one of them turns out.

#19 Ryan Mantha - RD
Last Season: AHL - Bakersfield Condors - 41GP 3-7-10


There are few prospects I am rooting for more than Ryan Mantha. The 6'5 225lb right shot defenseman has plenty of tools at his disposal but during a game last season he suddenly lost vision in his left eye. A rare blood clot put his career in jeaopordy and though he is starting to gain some sight in the eye the road is uphill.

#18 Graham McPhee - LW
Last Season: NCAA - Boston College - 36GP 12-12-24


Since Chiarelli's arrival in Edmonton the Oilers have begun a pattern of targeting college players. So far the result has been NHL capable (to varying degrees) players like Benning and Caggiula. The 20 year old will return to Boston for this season and likely will go to the Condors the following year.

#17 Keegan Lowe - LD
Last Season: AHL - Bakersfield Condors - 52GP 2-12-14


The 25 year old Lowe barely counts as a prospect by my reasoning. Understandably fans were groaning when he signed another 2 year deal with the team but there is talent here. I would not be surprised to see Lowe as an option for a 7th defender this year.

#16 Aapeli Rasanen - F
Last Season: NCAA - Boston College - 32GP 4-12-16


Thus begins the list of players who's names I can't pronounce. Rasanen is an interesting player. Scouts have described him as an elite playmaker with a pass first mentality. He was a teammate of fellow Oilers prospect McPhee. Rasanen shined the most however when he played with his fellow Fins in the U20 putting up 7 points in 11 games.

#15 Dmitri Samorukov - LD
Last Season: OHL - Guelph Storm - 62GP 11-23-34


Stocking left shooting D has been a trend for the Oil over the past decade and that continues with Samorukov. The Russian born player has increased his production in the OHL every year and he hopes to do so again taking a larger role with the Storm this season. Hopefully he gets a bit more time in the AHL late in the year.

#14 Stuart Skinner - G
Last season: WHL - Lethbridge Hurricanes - 30GP .897SV%
Last season: WHL - Swift Current Broncos - 25GP .914SV%


More goalie voodoo! Skinner had himself quite a season which raised his status immensely. He went from a .897 Sv% to a .914 after being traded to Swift Current. He then went supernova by putting up an unbelievable .932 Sv% in 32 playoff games... that's Fleury kind of playoff numbers. As always gauging goalie success is tough.... all we can ask is that Skinner continues the strong foundation he has set.

#13 Flip Berglund - RD
Last Season: SHL - Skellefteå AIK - 44GP 3-10-13


Berglund is going to be a full time Oiler in 3 years. I have absolutely no basis for this statement other than a hunch. Scouts have applauded him for a good two way game and ability to contribute on the powerplay and at even strength. One other point that has been made is how calm a player he is, even playing against much older players. I like this kid.

#12 Kirill Maksimov - RW
Last Season: OHL - NiagraIce Dogs - 62GP 34-46-80


Maksimov put up enough points last season to merit a spot high up on this list. What is surprising is it doesn't seem like many other outlets are discussing his future much. He led the IceDogs in goals and carried offense himself. Look for a 90+ point season from him this year.

11. Ostap Safin - F
Last Season: QMJHL - Saint John Sea Dogs 61GP 26-32-58


We move from the IceDogs to the Sea Dogs and forward Safin. The Oilers might not have many NHL calibre wingers at the moment but there is potential for a couple elite players to appear from this list; Safin is definitely one of them. Next season Safin will be in the AHL and be counted on for big minutes. Could get a cup of coffee in the NHL this year.

There is the first half of the list. Let me know what you think in the comments section.
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