The Edmonton Oilers have found some success in pursuing free agents to supplement their prospect pool. Even if some of the players do not become diamonds in the rough, they have been able to add depth with players like Quinn Hutson or Josh Samanski amongst others. Samanski himself has been an intriguing player at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
One area that the Oilers need to add some organizational depth is down the middle, at centre. Especially with the loss of Sam O'Reilly in their swap with the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer and with the loss of Noah Philp to waivers or David Tomasek getting his contract terminated.
The organizations depth at centre is thin, meaning that they could target one or more in free agency to develop them. According to some, the Oilers will likely pursue a right-handed centre with size and as well, are wanting to add depth on defence. Today, we will be looking at three players from the NCAA that the Oilers could pursue.
T.J. Hughes
University of Michigan standout forward, T.J. Hughes is a player that has been identified for a while as someone the Oilers -- and frankly, most teams -- could pursue as an NCAA free agent. He has been one of the top players available and at 24 years old, is close to a finished product, something that may entice a team like the Oilers who would be looking for a player to plug into their lineup as depth.
He is a good offensive player who has been a prolific scorer throughout his NCAA career and even before with the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. He possesses some two-way ability and could fit into a depth offensive role well if given the proper opportunity.
Tyson Gross
The next is St. Cloud State captain and Alberta native, Tyson Gross, he checks a lot of boxes that many teams covet. He has good size at 6'3, 194lbs and is a right-shot centre, playing a responsible 200ft game, giving him some legitimate projectability as a player who could even fill a fourth line centre role.
His scoring has taken a step this season at 23 years old, scoring 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 32 games played so far. This indicates at least some offensive potential, providing a little bit of hope that he can be a secondary option at the NHL level. As well, with his age, he has the ability to grow even a little bit but is close to a finished product.
Braden Blace
Another Western Canadian NCAA free agent, Braden Blace is a big bodied right-handed defenceman at 6'3 190lbs. Despite his size, he is a good skater and has some solid two-way elements to his game, making him an interesting potential addition to the Oilers blueline prospect pool. He has spent the past two seasons with Quinnipiac University, taking off this season offensively with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 27 games.
At just 22 years old, he would be able to sign a two-year entry-level contract and there would not be as much pressure for him to make the Oilers as quickly as the other two. This would give the club an ability to develop him in their program and develop into a depth defender at the NHL level.
Mac Gadowsky
The last and quite possibly the most likely player on this list is Penn State university defenceman Mac Gadowsky. Gadowsky spent the previous two years with the U.S. Military Academy putting up gawdy totals, setting a career high last year with 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points in just 38 games.
He has been heavily rumoured as an Oilers target, dating back to last year. Now at 24 years old, Gadowsky is on the older side for college free agents and has taken a step back in production with his new squad, with only 12 assists in 29 games. He would be a player the Oilers could take a bet on, especially if they have believed in his skillset for a long time.