Several Oilers prospects are on track to make the NHL.

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Ryan Hall
August 27, 2023 (10:47 PM)

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With a week left in August and training camp beginning in mid-September, many NHL general managers are preparing their camp and deciding who will be present for tryouts with the team. This summer, the Oilers' general manager Ken Holland made a few moves to change the team's dynamics, including trading two fan favorites to Detroit for virtually nothing in return.

Now, the Oilers are turning to their prospects, as various individuals could be on track to join the team this year. One such prospect is Dylan Holloway, who is the most likely to remain with the team. The 21-year-old left winger played a limited role with the Oilers last year,
participating in 51 games, scoring three goals, with six assists for 9 points.

Drafted in the 2020 entry draft, and selected in the first round as the 14th overall pick. Oilers' management hoped that this year could serve as a reset for him to settle into a steady role with the team. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 203 pounds, he should provide the Oilers with top 9 performance.

Another first-round pick that comes to mind is Xavier Bourgault, a 20-year-old center drafted in the 2021 entry draft as the 22nd overall pick. He spent the entire year with the Bakersfield Condors and posted modest numbers, playing 62 games, scoring 13 goals, and contributing 21 assists for a total of 34 points. The best course of action for the Oilers would be to keep him with the Condors to continue developing his skills, as the center position is quite locked down.

However, in the case of a major injury, Bourgault could be called up, benefitting from waiver protection.

On the defensive side, Markus Nielmelalien stands out as a top choice to see some game action with the Oilers. His performance during the 2021-2022 season with the Oilers was impressive, but over time, they believed he was better suited for the Condors, as his style aligned with that of Vincent Desharnais.

Given more time, his game has had the opportunity to develop, and as many know, defensemen tend to mature and improve as they progress in their careers. He would be destined to be called up in the event of injuries, much like Bourgault.

The Oilers' prospects pool is quite promising and should provide the team with the necessary depth. As the season progresses and injuries inevitably occur, these players will prove to be important assets to have.