SLEEPERS IN THE NORTH — Four Edmonton Oilers Prospects Poised to Shock NHL Fans and Make Major Impact This Upcoming Season
Every NHL franchise hopes their pipeline of young talent will one day yield the difference-makers needed to push for a Stanley Cup. For the Edmonton Oilers, a team already loaded with elite stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the focus in 2025 is as much on depth as it is on star power. While much of the attention remains on the veterans leading the charge, there are a handful of prospects within the Oilers’ system who could break through and surprise everyone this year. These are players who may not have garnered national headlines yet, but are quietly developing into potential NHL contributors—and possibly more.
Development camps, offseason training, and a full preseason slate will offer each prospect an opportunity to stake a claim for a roster spot, or at the very least, make themselves impossible to ignore. The 2025-26 campaign presents a ripe chance for youth to ascend, and Edmonton’s front office and coaching staff are keeping a close eye on who might emerge. Among a deepening prospect pool, four names stand out as legitimate candidates to crash the NHL party this year and provide an unexpected boost to a team with championship aspirations.
First on the radar is forward Xavier Bourgault, the 2021 first-round pick who has taken steady steps in his development over the past few seasons. Bourgault spent significant time in the AHL with Bakersfield and has flashed the kind of high-end offensive instincts that made him a coveted draft selection. While he hasn’t dominated the minors in overwhelming fashion, he has shown growth in his two-way game, decision-making, and play away from the puck—factors that often determine whether a scorer can make the NHL leap.
Bourgault is poised to benefit from Edmonton’s need for scoring depth on the wing. His vision, puck handling, and offensive creativity make him an ideal candidate for a third-line role, and he could thrive playing alongside more established NHL centers who can distribute the puck and allow him to find open space. If he impresses in training camp, Bourgault could force his way onto the roster and potentially stick beyond the nine-game threshold. The key for him will be defensive reliability and adaptability to the pace of the NHL. If he checks those boxes, Bourgault may finally make the jump and offer a new layer of scoring depth to Edmonton’s attack.
Next is defenseman Philip Broberg, a name that Oilers fans have heard for several years now, but who has yet to cement himself as a consistent NHL presence. Drafted eighth overall in 2019, Broberg has dealt with injuries and the challenge of developing in a win-now environment where patience is scarce. But 2025 could be the season everything comes together. Still just 24 years old, Broberg has the tools—size, skating, and hockey IQ—to be a middle-pairing defenseman in the NHL. His ability to move the puck efficiently and cover ground in transition makes him an ideal fit for a modern blue line.
What Broberg needs now is confidence and opportunity. With questions surrounding Edmonton’s depth on the back end and some veteran departures possible due to cap constraints, Broberg might finally get the extended run he needs to prove himself. If given a full-time role out of camp, he could quietly become a stabilizing presence, logging solid minutes and allowing others to play more aggressive roles. His skating remains his best asset, and in a fast Western Conference, that alone gives him an edge. Broberg doesn’t need to be a star—he just needs to be consistent. And if he is, he’ll surprise a lot of people with how ready he truly is.
Another name to watch is Raphael Lavoie, a towering forward whose blend of size and skill has tantalized Oilers development coaches since his selection in 2019. At 6-foot-4, Lavoie brings a physical presence that the current Oilers roster could use more of, particularly in bottom-six roles. But Lavoie is not just a grinder—he has offensive touch, a quick release, and solid instincts around the net. He’s been a streaky scorer in the AHL, but when he’s on, he can take over shifts with his forechecking and puck protection.
Lavoie’s path to an NHL job has been blocked by veterans and more NHL-ready talent in years past, but that may change this fall. If he shows a willingness to adapt to a role player’s mentality—finishing checks, cycling effectively, and creating net-front chaos—he could become a valuable piece for a team in need of cost-effective contributors. In today’s NHL, big-bodied forwards who can skate and chip in 10-15 goals are gold. If Lavoie commits to doing the little things right, his offensive gifts will find a way to shine through, and he could stick in the lineup longer than expected.
Rounding out this group is goaltender Olivier Rodrigue, a former second-round pick who has flown largely under the radar during his development but is starting to put things together at the pro level. Goalie development is notoriously unpredictable, but Rodrigue’s trajectory is starting to bend in the right direction. He’s posted increasingly strong numbers in the AHL, showing poise, improved rebound control, and a calming presence in the crease. While not the most physically imposing netminder, Rodrigue reads the play well and positions himself effectively.
With questions still surrounding the Oilers’ goaltending tandem, Rodrigue could find himself in the conversation for NHL backup duty if he shines during the fall. Even if he doesn’t crack the opening night roster, an injury or inconsistency from the current goaltenders could open the door later in the season. If Rodrigue continues his upward climb, he might be the kind of call-up who steals a game or two, shifts the narrative, and earns a more permanent role. Quietly, he could become one of the more important depth stories for Edmonton as they push through the grind of the regular season.
What unites all four of these prospects—Bourgault, Broberg, Lavoie, and Rodrigue—is that they each address different areas of the Oilers’ needs. Bourgault brings offensive creativity and youth to a forward group that could use new energy. Broberg offers defensive upside and left-handed stability on the back end. Lavoie injects size and snarl into the bottom six. Rodrigue provides insurance and potential surprise in goal. Each of them, if they seize the moment, could fill critical roles and elevate the team in subtle but meaningful ways.
Of course, development is never linear. Not every prospect will hit. But the Oilers are in a position where internal growth could be just as valuable as external additions. With tight salary cap margins and a championship window that must be maximized, integrating young, inexpensive contributors is essential. It’s not just about what these players become in the long-term—it’s about what they can offer now, in short bursts, when opportunity knocks.
Coaching will play a significant role in how these surprises materialize. Head coach Kris Knoblauch must be willing to give these young players meaningful reps, both in training camp and preseason games. Letting them play through mistakes, testing them in real scenarios, and showing belief will go a long way in building confidence. Prospects don’t become contributors overnight—they need chances, and they need the trust of the staff to make the leap.
Ultimately, fans may not be circling these names just yet. The spotlight remains on McDavid, Draisaitl, and the core veterans. But every team that lifts the Cup tells a similar story—unexpected heroes emerge. Players once overlooked become crucial. The Oilers’ journey this season could depend as much on these quietly developing prospects as it does on their superstars. And if even one of them takes the leap, the entire trajectory of Edmonton’s season could change.
These four young men—Bourgault, Broberg, Lavoie, and Rodrigue—are not just prospects anymore. They’re possibilities. And as the new season approaches, the Oilers might just find their next game-changer hiding in plain sight.
