Over the weekend, concerning rumours started circulating around the Edmonton Oilers and one of their top goaltending prospects, Samuel Jonsson and where he will play next season.
It was reported by Bruce Curlock on his appearance on Oilers Now that he expects Jonsson to return home to play in Sweden. Curlock said "It appears that [Samuel] Jonsson has decided to return to the SHL for this coming season."
This reporting caused many fans and media to speculate and worry about the potential ripple effects of this move.
This news about Samuel Jonsson going to the SHL… well this is not good news.
— Karman Gill (@Kgill39) August 23, 2026
Why did the Oilers sign Vinni instead of letting him play in Finland?
Also, why is Matt Tompkins signed? What was the point in signing him in the first place?
However, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer himself has come out to pour cold water on the rumours and the city of Edmonton and fans of the Oilers can rest assured. Stauffer took to X (formerly Twitter) saying "all indicators are that he will be attending EDM’s Rookie Camp in September.
Further to that he is expected to play in North America this season."
Regarding reports involving @EdmontonOilers goaltending prospect Samuel Jonsson, all indicators are that he will be attending EDM’s Rookie Camp in September.
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) August 24, 2026
Further to that he is expected to play in North America this season.
If this is true, it is great news for the Oilers to keep one of their top goaltending prospects close to home to have direct involvement over his development. Although, it does add to their logjam in goal, it is probably for the best for him to play in North America to either move up to the AHL level or return to the ECHL.
Jonsson has become one of the Oilers top prospects in goal
Jonsson was drafted by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft and is heading into the second year of his three-year entry level contract he signed in 2025.
The 22 year old Swedish goaltender spent last season in the Oilers' farm, playing for the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. There he played 33 games sporting a 21-8-2 record and a 2.38 goals against average and .910 save percentage and five shutouts, adding 10 more starts in the postseason with a 6-3-1 record and 2.31 GAA and .925 save percentage along with two more shutouts.
It was his first season in North America after rising the ranks in Sweden, playing most recently with BIK Karlskoga of the Hockey Allsvenskan with a 17-6-0 record in 24 games with a 1.88 GAA and .922 save percentage. He has sneakily risen up the ranks within the Oilers organization and despite not being a household name, has been able to progress up the ladder while stacking strong seasons at every level he has played at from the Swedish juniors to North American pro.
It is not known for sure where Jonsson will play this upcoming season but if it is in North America, he likely battles for a job with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. If it is in the SHL or Allsvenskan, he will surely become that club's presumptive number one goaltender immediately, stepping into one of the best leagues in the world and playing plenty of time.
For now, as fans of the Oilers, we can jsut hope that whichever option is chosen, is the right one for the future of the player and club.
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