Can new d-man keep alive Edmonton Oilers' win streak with blueline prospects?
The Edmonton Oilers have had a Top 4 d-man prospect cooking in their system each year for almost 20 years now. It's a solid win streak.
Article content
That streak starts in 2006 when the Oilers drafted Jeff Petry in the second round, with the torch next passed to Oscar Klefbom in 2011, Justin Schultz, 2012, Darnell Nurse, 2013, John Marino, 2015, Evan Bouchard, 2017, Michael Kesselring (projected Top 4 in Buffalo this year), 2018, and Philip Broberg, 2020. If the Oilers had all those players, and they were all healthy, their roster would be:
Article content
Article content
Article content
But that streak is in danger just now, with three of Edmonton's top six d-man prospects in 2024 now gone from the organization, Max Wanner traded away and Phil Kemp and Luca Munzenberger not signed.
Article content
Article content
To address that deficit, the Oilers signed 26-year-old Finnish scoring sensation Atro Leppanen and also traded their 2026 fifth round pick so they could draft Asher Barnett out of the U.S. hockey development program 131st overall. The Oilers have had some luck with late round draft picks in the. past decade taking Ethan Bear, 124th, and Marino 154th in 2015, Vincent Desharnais 183rd in 2016 and Michael Kesselring 164th in 2018.
Article content
USA draft expert Gabriel Foley said of Barnett, who was captain of the U.S. National Development Team in the USHL: 'He's as well-rounded as they come, controlling from slot-to-slot with a strong understanding of how to defend inside-out and not cede too much ground to opponents. He's not very physical, but makes up for it with strong stick-checking and fundamentals. They're all solid traits, albeit none so overwhelming that I guarantee he'll be a pro. In truth, Barnett hasn't hit the stride of all-three-zones puck management that I expected he would after a dazzling tenure with the Mission. Instead, he's a defense-first two-way guy – with the smarts, all-around skills, and positioning to adjust to most levels.'
Article content
Article content
And Neutral Zone amateur scouting said: 'Asher Barnett is a physically mature, responsible two-way defenseman whose game is rooted in structure and reliability. He's the kind of player you trust to start in the defensive zone and close out games. With a strong base, high-end battle habits, and elite defensive stick detail, Barnett projects as a dependable bottom-pairing NHL defenseman who can log tough minutes and kill penalties. His offensive upside is limited, but his mobility, decision-making, and transition habits are pro-ready… Barnett plays a mistake-free, intelligent brand of hockey… He's consistently first to pucks, makes calculated reads on retrievals, and defends the rush with poise — tight gaps, strong stick, and lateral mobility to close at the blue line… Barnett has a strong, powerful stride that allows him to separate on puck retrievals and win races.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
5 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
The Edmonton Oilers cap challenges are not and shouldn't be Connor McDavid's problem: 9 Things
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers stares down a member of the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final. Getty Images THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors For how much? And for how long? The questions surrounding the contract status of Connor McDavid is the main focus in the latest edition of… 9. Congratulations to Andrew and Claudia Mangiapane on the birth of their baby boy A.J. It is a reminder that like us, NHL players have lives away from hockey and share many of the hopes and dreams that we do. 8. A lot of chatter out there about possible PTOs. Two skaters who I have written about in the recent past are still possibilities for the Oilers. Former Oiler Klim Kostin is one. Alberta kid Brett Leason is another. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 7. The Oilers have let D-man Luca Munzenberger walk. Edmonton held his rights up until Friday, when they expired and no offer to remain in the organization was forthcoming. It was clear the jig was up when he did not join Bakersfield after his season at the University of Vermont ended. 6. Connor McDavid is rated #1 in 2025-26 Oilers Fantasy Rankings, with a point projection of 135. His buddy Leon Draisaitl is number two (114). Evan Bouchard is pegged at 86. Zach Hyman at 68. And Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is ranked fifth at 64 points. That would eclipse The Nuge's 49 last campaign. More on McDavid in a minute… 5. An unknows in this upcoming season for the Oilers is the status of Stuart Skinner. Despite helping his club make it to The Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back years, an upgrade could be in the cards. But if Skinner grabs the net and runs with it, he could pass a couple legendary Oilers in Games Played. He is just three behind Curtis Joseph, only twenty-two behind Dwayne Roloson for sixth all-time. 4. The Oilers were the only club in the NHL last season to finish in the top four in O-zone time in all four situations: All Strengths (43.8), at Even strength (43.2), The Power Play (61.0) and on the P.K. (31.2). And three Edmonton Oilers were among the top ten individually at All Strength, Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman. Mattias Ekholm was sixth at Even Strength (47.5). 3. The Bakersfield Condors have extended AHL contracts to four players new to the organization: Forwards Matt Brown and Trevor Kanicke have inked 1-year deals, as have D-men Mats Lindgren and Luke Prokop. The undersized Brown had 47 points in 39 games for BU in 2022-23. Kanicke is a right shot Center out of Notre Dame. Lindgren is a left shot D who can move the puck. Solid minor-pro-options for Keith Gretzky. 2. Of those four guys, Edmonton fans are likely most familiar with Prokop who was an Edmonton Oil King when the won a WHL Championship in 2022. Never bad to have organizational depth in the form of a 6'6, right-shot defender who can skate. And the hometown kid is just twenty-three. Prokop has been stuck in the AHL in Nashville's system but he has got some game. Of the four guys inked, Prokop is the guy who I could see getting an NHL shot if injuries strike the big club. Strong signing. Now it's your move, Luke.
National Post
16 hours ago
- National Post
'Snake-bitten' Argonauts drop third game in a row with loss in Edmonton
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks appear to be poised for a second-half surge. Article content Steven Dunbar Jr.'s early fourth-quarter touchdown catch proved to be the difference as the Elks emerged with a 28-20 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in a game between two teams clinging to playoff hopes on Friday. Article content Article content The Elks (3-6) have now won two games in a row. 'I'm really proud of this unit,' said Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo. 'Our challenge this week was to do something we haven't done this year, and that's to stack two wins on top of each other.' Article content Fajardo, who started the season as backup to Tre Ford, was 25-of-31 passing for 273 yards. Article content 'He's doing a great job with the offence right now,' said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. 'They are really rallying around each other. I thought (running back Justin) Rankin did a nice job and that the receivers were really blocking on the permitter. A credit to those guys for sure.' Article content After being held without a single rushing yard in his team's previous game, Rankin had 92 yards on the ground and 87 yards receiving. Article content The Argos (2-8), meanwhile, have now lost three straight. 'I thought the fight was there and guys were battling and we had a chance to win that game,' said Argos head coach Ryan Didwiddie, noticeably calmer than after his team's previous loss. 'But where we are at it in the season, we can't afford to lose any more games. It just wasn't our day. Article content 'Sometimes I feel like we are just snake-bitten, but I thought (quarterback) Nick (Arbuckle) gave us a chance to win.' Arbuckle threw for 382 yards on the night. Article content The teams traded field goals on their first possessions, with Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu converting a 14-yard attempt after the Argos were set up by a 56-yard catch by Dave Ungerer, and Edmonton's Vincent Blanchard making a 30-yard boot through the uprights. Article content Blanchard added a 20-yard field goal late in the opening quarter. Article content Hajrullahu responded with a 45-yard field goal to start the second. Article content Toronto's defence stepped up with a big play five minutes into the second as Wynton McManis intercepted Fajardo at the Edmonton 37. However, the Argos were held to a 20-yard field goal. Article content Edmonton finally got the game's first major with just over a minute to play in the first half as running back Justin Rankin scampered in from two yards out. Article content Toronto added a punt single before halftime. Article content The Argos surged ahead midway through the third quarter as Arbuckle floated a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jake Herslow.
Edmonton Journal
19 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Can new d-man keep alive Edmonton Oilers' win streak with blueline prospects?
Article content The Edmonton Oilers have had a Top 4 d-man prospect cooking in their system each year for almost 20 years now. It's a solid win streak. Article content That streak starts in 2006 when the Oilers drafted Jeff Petry in the second round, with the torch next passed to Oscar Klefbom in 2011, Justin Schultz, 2012, Darnell Nurse, 2013, John Marino, 2015, Evan Bouchard, 2017, Michael Kesselring (projected Top 4 in Buffalo this year), 2018, and Philip Broberg, 2020. If the Oilers had all those players, and they were all healthy, their roster would be: Article content Article content Article content But that streak is in danger just now, with three of Edmonton's top six d-man prospects in 2024 now gone from the organization, Max Wanner traded away and Phil Kemp and Luca Munzenberger not signed. Article content Article content To address that deficit, the Oilers signed 26-year-old Finnish scoring sensation Atro Leppanen and also traded their 2026 fifth round pick so they could draft Asher Barnett out of the U.S. hockey development program 131st overall. The Oilers have had some luck with late round draft picks in the. past decade taking Ethan Bear, 124th, and Marino 154th in 2015, Vincent Desharnais 183rd in 2016 and Michael Kesselring 164th in 2018. Article content USA draft expert Gabriel Foley said of Barnett, who was captain of the U.S. National Development Team in the USHL: 'He's as well-rounded as they come, controlling from slot-to-slot with a strong understanding of how to defend inside-out and not cede too much ground to opponents. He's not very physical, but makes up for it with strong stick-checking and fundamentals. They're all solid traits, albeit none so overwhelming that I guarantee he'll be a pro. In truth, Barnett hasn't hit the stride of all-three-zones puck management that I expected he would after a dazzling tenure with the Mission. Instead, he's a defense-first two-way guy – with the smarts, all-around skills, and positioning to adjust to most levels.' Article content Article content And Neutral Zone amateur scouting said: 'Asher Barnett is a physically mature, responsible two-way defenseman whose game is rooted in structure and reliability. He's the kind of player you trust to start in the defensive zone and close out games. With a strong base, high-end battle habits, and elite defensive stick detail, Barnett projects as a dependable bottom-pairing NHL defenseman who can log tough minutes and kill penalties. His offensive upside is limited, but his mobility, decision-making, and transition habits are pro-ready… Barnett plays a mistake-free, intelligent brand of hockey… He's consistently first to pucks, makes calculated reads on retrievals, and defends the rush with poise — tight gaps, strong stick, and lateral mobility to close at the blue line… Barnett has a strong, powerful stride that allows him to separate on puck retrievals and win races.'
